Francina Marie Pride-Motz: 1974-2021

It is with sadness that we report longtime crane and access industry publisher Francina Pride-Motz (Franci Motz) passed away on May 27. She was 46.

Franci Motz.

Motz, who was well-known in the crane and access industries, was publisher of both Crane Hot Line and Lift and Access. She had joined Heartland Communications Group, publisher of both magazines, in October 2009.

Motz is survived by Jason Furrow, her life partner, and their son Kade, of Frederick, CO, mother Carol Pride of Englewood, CO; sisters Kristin Pride- Chase (Rick) of Frederick, CO, Jessica Pride of Scottsdale, AZ, niece Jaysa Chagolla of Scottsdale, AZ and nephews Logan and Jaxson Chase of Frederick, CO as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Billy Ray Pride.

Her family said, “Franci was amazing! She was funny, kind, compassionate, thoughtful - a little sarcastic perhaps - and loving to everyone, especially the joy of her life, Kade. She was deeply loved and will be truly missed.”

Mike Larson, editor-in-chief of Crane Hot Line said, “I’d worked with Franci since 2011, and I always appreciated how honest, supportive, and funny she was. Also, I saw how she inspired loyalty, trust, and friendship in nearly everyone she met. In fact, many former colleagues still called her often just to talk and stay in touch with her.”

A funeral for Motz will be held on Thursday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at the Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80033.

The following day, Friday, June 11, a Celebration of Life will be held from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Bella Rosa Golf Course Clubhouse, 5830 Bella Rosa Parkway, Frederick, Colorado, 80504.

Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.