Francine Hines

Francine M. Hines, 81, Topeka, died Sunday, January 29, 2006. Born and raised in French speaking Brussels, Belgium, Francine is the daughter of the late Julia (Bidoul) and Georges Baudoux. She spent her teenage years under Nazi control while Belgium was invaded during WWII. Francine came to Kansas in Dec. 1946 to marry Barton Neubauer, Brookville, (deceased) an American soldier she met in Belgium. They farmed at Silver Lake, KS for many years. They had one daughter, Colette. Francine loved America and was forever grateful to the U.S. for restoring freedom to Europe. She became an American citizen in 1951. In 1981 she married Commander Halsey Hines, retired U.S. Navy. She was an active member of Christ the King Parish. A 1976 graduate of Washburn University, Mrs. Hines served as a consultant for professional and business seminars, was a free-lance writer and author of “BOGO” a book about her daughter, Colette’s experiences growing up on a farm. A professional speaker, well known for her motivational speeches, Francine served tirelessly in a number of positions. She was receptionist-secretary to Gov. George Docking and then the transition agent for Gov. Anderson and Gov. Robert Docking during their respective administrations. She was Hospital Section Secretary at the Menninger Foundation. She served as Administrative Assistant and was then appointed by Gov. Carlin as Executive Director to the Kansas Water Resources Board. Mrs. Hines was a member of the adjunct faculty at Washburn University, teaching Communication Science, Public Speaking and Effective Listening. Gov. Finney appointed Francine to the Washburn University Board of Regents and Gov. Graves appointed her to the Kansas Military Advisory Board. Mrs. Hines has served in many organizations and offices including, Kansas Assoc. of the U.S. Army-Fifth Region, the American Pen Women, Woman’s Kansas Day Club, Washburn Women’s Alliance, Downtown Rotary, Topeka Knife and Fork Club, the American Business Women’s Assoc., Topeka Toastmistress Club, the Shawnee County Civil Service Board, the Kansas Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Kansas Paraguay Commission. Mrs. Hines was the recipient of numerous awards including, the Americanism Medal awarded by the DAR to outstanding immigrants, the Monroe Award by Washburn University, the Paul Harris Fellow Award by Downtown Rotary, and Outstanding Military Spouse Award, by the Assoc. of the U.S. Army. Her speech on citizenship was presented to the U.S. Congress by Sen. Bob Dole and was incorporated in the Congressional Record. From 1968 to 1982 Mrs. Hines was appointed to several positions designed to establish ties with Paraguay. In 1974, representing Gov. Robert Docking, she successfully established support and financial aid for the schools and hospitals in Asuncion during her visit there. In 1976, she returned to Asuncion to present then Pres. Stroessnor with the Gov. and State of Kansas Proclamation and discussed future plans between Kansas and Paraguay. Pres. Stroessnor requested Mrs. Hines' appointment as Ambassador to Paraguay. Francine’s survivors include her husband, Halsey Hines, Topeka; her daughter Colette Bernica and her husband, Ed, Great Falls, MT; grandchildren, Marc Bernica, and his wife, Leah, and their son, Owen, Parker, CO, Andrea Bernica, Overland Park, KS, Michael Bernica, and David Bernica, both of Great Falls, MT; her brother Christian Baudoux, Vence, France; and three nieces and one nephew in Belgium. She was preceded in death by a brother, Marcel Baudoux. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tues. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 7:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wed. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Midland Hospice Care and the Topeka Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) for Army emergency relief to benefit active duty soldiers and their families, sent in care of the funeral home.