She was born Oct. 6, 1952, to Herman and Ernestine (Mogul) Brickner. The birth actually took place in a car outside the Queens-Midtown Tunnel in New York City as her parents were driving to the hospital.
Raised in Chappaqua, N.Y., she graduated from high school there in 1970 and from the University of Vermont in 1974. After she married Dr. Stanley Frankel, a dentist, in 1980 in Manhasset, "they lived and traveled on a commercial fishing vessel, nicknamed the 'Tooth Ferry,' which they eventually docked in Greenport," according to her friend Jenny Kaplan.
After moving to Shelter Island, the couple had three children. Her husband died in 1990, and Ms. Frankel and her children moved to Southold, where she owned the North Road Deli for a time. For the past five years, she worked in the Greenport office of Dr. Mel Kaplan.
A former ski instructor, Ms. Frankel enjoyed knitting, dancing and hiking. "She lived with grace, humor and valor," Ms. Kaplan said. "Her children were her greatest passion and she embraced every opportunity to teach them as well as learn from them."
During her struggle with cancer, she was cared for by her family and a friend from elementary school, Karen Gay, who came to Southold from Rockville, Md., to serve as her caretaker.
Before her death, Ms. Frankel was honored by the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc., at a dinner at the American Legion hall in Southold. Friends remember how "her positive outlook inspired many to forge ahead during difficult times and view obstacles as opportunities," said Ms. Kaplan. Ms. Frankel's brothers, William Brickner of Roslyn and David Brickner of Albany, N.Y,, remember her "optimism and unwavering spirit" throughout everything.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her children, Micah, Emily and Matthew, all of Southold; and her brothers.
Funeral services were held at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.
Memorial donations may be directed to Eastern Long Island Hospital, 201 Manor Pl., Greenport, NY 11944; East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978; Congregation Tifereth Israel, 614-253-8523; or the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, www.ocrf.org.