Frances Galante, 57, artist

In Frances Galante's home, a portrait she painted of the Maine countryside hangs prominently.

It's the kind of work that would stop visiting friends. Some would ask questions; most would admire. Ms. Galante always would be humble.

"She would say, 'My paintings aren't that great,' or, 'This still needs work,' " said Linda Galante, her sister. "But I know so many people who would look at her art and start crying because it was so moving."

Ms. Galante, 57, a prominent painter in the region, died Tuesday, March 10, in her Philadelphia home after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Born in Philadelphia to Peter and Frances Galante, Ms. Galante found her love of art at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Gwynedd Valley, where she became fascinated with oil paintings. She spent weekdays mastering landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, and weekends traveling to New York to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.

"She had a true artist personality," her sister said. "She was artistic and cerebral, not just in her visual art, but also in what she saw in the world."

After high school, Ms. Galante earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from Temple University's Tyler School of Art. She spent the following years traveling, including to places as far as Rome, to continue her studies.

Once back in Philadelphia, she had her work displayed in solo and group shows across the region, including at the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill, the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, the Noyes Museum of Art in Absecon, N.J., and the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts in Wilmington. Her work hangs in private and corporate collections.

She received several honors, including the Edith Emerson Prize at the Woodmere Art Museum, and several awards at the Philadelphia Sketch Club.

As much as she loved to paint, she also loved to teach, her sister said, and she taught art courses in the area.

"She really enjoyed helping the up-and-coming artists who were not sure of their own work," her sister said. "She gave amazing support."

In addition to her sister, Ms. Galante is survived by her husband, Thuan Bui; another sister, Lisa Galante; and her father. Her mother died several years ago.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Woodmere Art Museum. An exhibition of her work, "Silent Conversation: The Paintings of Frances Galante," will be displayed there from April 4 through June 6. Burial is private.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation at www.sandyovarian.org.