Francis Marian (FM) Rinker

Frances Marian (FM) Rinker, of Mount Pleasant, SC passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024. FM was the daughter of the late Edward and Frances W. Rinker of Augusta Georgia. Ms. Rinker is survived by her partner of many years, Lois Dane Richter of Mount Pleasant, SC, Brian and Kellie Richter Kinard of Charleston, SC, her cousin Claudia Rinker Fritz and two nephews, Frank and George Rinker, all of Augusta, Ga., and the Martini Girls and Boys: Beth Moore, Regina Ryan, Nancy Roettger, Robert Carper, Catherine Craven, Betty Poore, LeaAnn Adkins, Steve Brock, Mary Ann Hall, and Candace Crum and the late Karen Hilty and Patricia Fuchs. She is also survived by her beloved sheepadoodle, Sullivan and her rescue cat Michi.

FM was a graduate of Converse College where she majored in theater. She was a retired Broker-In- Charge at the Isle of Palms real estate office of Carolina One. Her accomplishments were many, but her favorite profession was real estate where she formed lasting relationships. FM was an avid gardener, never meeting a plant she didn't want to own. She loved to travel and while at Converse, she went on an extensive European tour with classmates and this trip to Europe started her lifelong love of travel and over the years visited Turkey, Morocco, France, South Africa and Thailand. She was actively planning a spring trip to Japan when she passed away. FM loved to paint with watercolors and also took amazing photos of animals and landscapes. FM never met an animal that she didn't fall in love with and really wanted an elephant for the back yard! She loved boating and knew only two speeds: full speed ahead and dead in the water! FM was an avid reader, and her interests was spread across a great collection of various topics, but her favorite subject was a good travel book which would end up being tagged with post-it-notes, highlighted sentences on every page and copious notes written in the margins.

In 2013, FM was diagnosed with lung cancer and the prognosis was grim. But FM, true to her character, never gave up hope and determined that she was going not listen to the dire predictions of her first medical team. When their grim predictions and demeanor became too much, she began to search for an oncologist who would listen to her and respect her opinions. She found the perfect doctor in Dr. George Keogh, of Charleston Oncology, where she entered into a clinical trial for the drug OPDIVO. She successfully went into remission and was able to live a full, happy and active life. The success that she enjoyed in fighting this terrible disease was attributed not only to Dr. Keogh who listened to her but treated her as an equal partner in the fight. Together they created a treatment plan that suited her and her physical needs. She said often during this long journey that the tremendous support and love she received from Dr. Keogh and his amazing team and her team at Duke along with her Pilates instructor Jessye with Traditions Pilates Studio and her chosen family and countless friends kept her going. FM firmly believed that she could overcome this disease, and she did so with style, grace and tremendous courage. Her greatest wish was to be able to tell other people with this diagnosis that there is always hope and with the right attitude and doctors who listen to their patients, they would be able to not only survive but to live well. And that is exactly what FM did until the last moment.

FM was beautiful, very smart, curious with an adventurer's spirit, a loving partner, a devoted pet owner, and a friend to many.

FM loved art, music, books, travel and all animals, but especially dogs, cats and elephants. She touched many people's lives and will be remembered with love and thankfulness.

For those who wish to honor FM with a donation, Best Friends Animal Society (whose mission is to have no- kill shelters in every state in the country) would be a beautiful way to remember this amazing woman. For any friends of FM's, please call Lois at 843 270 2425 for details about the Celebration of Life plans.

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.