Friday, December 11, 2020
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Dear, sweet, wonderful Fran. Such a kind, lovely woman. So thoughtful and meticulous in so many ways.
I am the daughter-in-law of Bill And Karyl Rose. Many summers, when Ken and I would visit Lake Placid, Fran was a regular visitor and such a treat to be with. She was so warm and friendly. I felt like I had known her for years.
One evening at Camp Indian Point, Fran, Karyl and I were sitting by the fireplace having conversation and enjoying each other’s company. I asked Fran about where she had grown up etc. She began by telling me she had grown up in Iowa. Her family was very poor. They were farmers. They always worried about whether they would have enough food to put on the table.
Well, one day a traveling salesman came to town and stopped by their home. Fran was only 16 years old at the time. The visitor was Jack and he was quite a few years older. So as it goes........he swept her off her feet, they got married and moved away from home. The rest is history.
I thought that was such a great story. I went into the kitchen with Karyl. I said to her that it was so interesting learning about Frans background and that she and her husband had done so well through the years. Karyl kept a straight face the whole time.
We went back into the living room and sat down with Fran.
We continued our conversation and I believe I was asking her about when she started having a family. Well, Fran just couldn’t take it any longer. She confessed that the whole story never happened. She and Karyl had the biggest laugh seeing me go along with her story!
I know Fran was one of Karyls best friends. Since Bill and Karyl sold the home in Lake Placid, my family have not returned. I spoke with Fran a few times throughout the years, sending her pictures of our kids, a marriage and then a Granddaughter. When we spoke, the last being in January 2017, she told me she was 97 years old. She sounded exactly the same, totally with it and with that lovely little laugh.
Since then, I’ve tried to get a hold of Fran a few times with no avail. But as my search today revealed, what I thought may be a possibility, brought forth fond memories of a beautiful woman, yet sadness. It truly was a privilege to have known Fran.
Your family has been truly blessed to have had such a special woman in your lives.
Julie Zinderman
