Frances Marie (Curran) Dollar 1926 - 2010 On February 17, 2010 Frances Dollar passed away peacefully in her sleep after a strenuous battle with lymphoma. Fran entered this world on November 17, 1926 in Washington DC, the eldest of two daughters born to Augustus and Veronica Evans. She grew up in Boston, MA, Atlanta, GA, and landed in Chicago, IL at the age of 16. It was there that Fran met and married her first husband Francis "Bud" Curran in 1948. Together they had 5 children and eventually relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1966. Fran was a woman who placed a lot of emphasis on her values. She passed on a legacy of honesty, hard work, loyalty, compassion, and marathon shopping to her 5 children (actually, the shopping, only to her two daughters). Fran was definitely a "people" person. She stood up for what she believed in, always defended the underdog, and spoke out against injustices she saw. She loved all things animal, especially her dog Riley, and was always well dressed, even for chemo. Her compassionate, caring nature for everyone, especially the less fortunate, was at the core of her personality. She reveled in her children's and grand-children's accomplishments and hurt with their sorrows. Fran married Clinton Dollar in 1973 and they were able to enjoy traveling and seeing the world together after her retirement from Kaiser Permanente Hospital in 1992. In 2007 she relocated to Bakersfield and enjoyed living at Glenwood Gardens making many good friends. Fran had a full and interesting life. Blessed with a vivacious nature, a strong faith in her Catholic religion and a loving family, Fran truly left this world a little better than she found it. Fran was preceded in death by her parents in 1985 and her husband Clinton Dollar in 2003. Frances is survived by her sister, Dorothy Knudsen and family from Hopkins, MI. Also her five children: Deacon Michael Curran of San Francisco, CA , Mary Curran Johnston (Jerry) of Bakersfield, CA, Christopher Curran (Liz) of Scottsdale, AZ; Robert Curran (Kathy) of Dublin, CA and Connie Curran Trokey (Marty) of Orland Park, IL. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and her beloved dog, Riley. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19, at Doughty-Calhoun- O'Meara. Continuing on to her final earthly destination, a vigil and wake will be held at Oak Park Hills Chapel in Walnut Creek, CA on Thursday; February 25, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill, CA on Friday, February 26 at 10:00a.m., followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . www.bakersfield.com/obits
Published in Bakersfield Californian on February 19, 2010 print