She married William Joseph Rockett, Nov. 11, 1942 in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Az. and had 3 Boys.
She died in the San Leandro Hospital.
William J. Rockett's Tribute To His Wife Frances R. Rockett At Her Funeral:
Assumption Church, San Leandro, California, Monday, September 27, 1999, Mass, 10AM.
"On behalf of the Rockett family I want to thank all who are here this morning, our friends, great neighbors, relatives and Father Joe for the tremendous support and love you have given to my dear Fran during her illnesses. It was inspirational to her in having heard from and seen so many during that time.
Fran was my devoted, caring, loving wife and best friend. We were married fifty-six years ago at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11, 1942. There was a war on then and time was precious. We didn't quite make fifty-seven which would have been this coming November 11th. But, they were great years and I am thankful to her for making my life-her's too, such an enjoyable life together. God has been very good to us and for that we are very thankful. She was a wonderful, class lady with lots of personal pride in her appearance. She dressed well and loved to have her hair styled exactly the way she wanted it. Her hair dresser for the past twenty-four years, Elza, was also devastated by her passing.
FRANCES ROSE WOHLKEN her maiden name is of Irish-German extraction. That's a good combination. It is fiery and brilliant just like a diamond and she was just that. She was born in San Francisco but didn't want to mention the date. Age had no significance to Fran. She lived the days, the years very vigorously and to the full extent. In fact, she told me that if I published her age at time of death she would come back to haunt me. Of course, we laughed.
The family were true San Franciscans. They lived in the Old Mission District. Both her Mother, Father, Grandparents and one sister Gladys who died in 1976 were native San Franciscans. Her Great Grandfather was a native of Bremerhaven, Germany and Great Grandmother of the quaint little village of Moville in Donegal, Ireland. That is right near that volatile border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed the search for her roots, came close but didn't make a connection.
Fran attended San Francisco schools through fourth grade. Her folks were enterprising. They had an 'Express' business in the City. She said she sat on the front office step and waited for a customer to come along wanting something moved. She loved jumping up and pushing down on the old truck's horn that sounded a loud'Ah-oooo-ga' that would bring her father out. She took rides around the City with him. The Ferry Building she quickly identified and it became her lifelong favorite in The City.
The family moved to Huntington Beach during her fifth grade where her father and grandfather were 'wild cat' oil drillers. As a ten year old she showed interest in the business, listened intently to her folks and learned a lot about the oil business. She was her father's girl, always with him and helping him all she could. An interesting little ditty she told about a happening at the well. There was a breakdown during the drilling process so her father took her out to the platform at the well. He had a tough crew and foreman but instead of asking them what to do next he looked at Fran and asked, "What do we do now, Fran?" Unhesitatingly, she answered, "You've got to pull the well, Pop." Her father pointed at the foreman saying, "Pull the well." The foreman's authority had been overridden in favor of the well owner's little daughter--he was mad and screamed, "Why don't you give the job to the damned kid!" Even as a child and all through life her father cherished her opinions. Fran played the violin and as she progressed she became First Violinist in the Huntington Beach High School orchestra. She said the teacher asked her to do a rendition of Danny Boy and it brought tears to his eyes. She said she wasn't sure if it was the screech of the violin or was played really well to bring that reaction. Our son Ed will honor his mother and pay tribute to her by playing Danny Boy on his Irish Tin Whistle.
It was in her Senior year that the family moved again to Woodland where her Grandfather built the Del Mar Hotel which we heard is now a parking lot for the County Courthouse. Her folks ran the Dining Room and as a teenager she waited on tables. Her usual tip was the big sum of twenty-five cents. A second move in her senior year brought the family to Oakland where she continued to be an excellent student and graduated from Fremont High School.
Fran and I met at United Autographic Register Company, an Emeryville printing company, where we both worked. She was a classy young lady. We both liked the Big Bands. Our first date was a Sunday afternoon dance to Glenn Miller's orchestra at Sweet's Ballroom on Franklin Street, Oakland. Other favorites of her's were biking around and strolling Lake Merritt, movies at the Paramount Theatre and attending Sunday Mass with me. Later on when she enjoyed travelling and became an excellent photographer, our family of three growing boys and the wonders of Yosemite were her favorite subjects. It was during those formative years that she directed her full energy and love to the boys schooling and development.
That tender love and interest continued right along through their college and professional careers. She was always deeply interested in knowing what they were doing and how things were going. I never heard her brag but a friend's inquiry would most certainly bring a positive response.
She thoroughly enjoyed and loved her three grandchildren starting with the arrival of Aaron in 1978, Ashley in 1980 and Kara in 1983. They were special and provided a new inspiration in her life. She enjoyed time spent caring for them and as they grew up their school events were special occasions. Just recently she was so happy about Aaron's accomplishments at St. Mary's College and his completion of a semester of study at The University of Cape town, South Africa. It pleased her that Ashley was starting at The University Of San Francisco, her fathers's university. That Kara was doing well with a heavy academic load as a junior at Bishop O'Dowd High School and that she had made the Varsity Cross Country team. Just last Thursday, the day of her Grandmother's death, Kara dedicated her three mile run to her Grandmother's memory. It was special for me to be there and see her do that run up and down the rugged hills of Hayward an area many of us couldn't walk. the energy, the devotion, the sweat that Kara put into that three mile run was a wonderful memorial to her Grandmother.
Through the years Yosemite remained the ultimate as an outdoor paradise for her. She loved the family reunions there and said that staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel was a far cry from camp outs when they were kids but it was all fun for her.
She was proud of her membership in the Saint La Salle Society at St. Mary's and enjoyed close association with the Christian Brothers. Brother Thomas and Brother Edmond, current President of the school, became her close friends. The annual get togethers were special to her. She was very helpful to me when I served on the Development committee. She honed her skills and , as usual, became very proficient in the technique of fund raising. She lovingly referred to Brother Edmond as 'Her favorite Big Shot.' She felt he wouldn't be offended. He wasn't. He smiled and laughed.
Fran withstood her illnesses like a Trooper. She had looked forward very positively toward recovery with full faith in God. She loved our Catholic Religion. Father Joe was special to both of us. He kept in close contact with his blessings and a last anointing of Fran.
I don't know how I am going to say good by to this Class lady. With your help I will try and ask you at this moment to concentrate on Fran.
Fran dear, I want to thank you for everything. For making my life the joy it has been. You are everything to me. I love you. We know that you are now with God and perpetual light is shining upon you. We know that we will meet again so I ask you to use your networking skills and put a word in for us with the good Lord. We need that. We will never, ever forget you. I love you. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Your Bill
Amen."
She died in the San Leandro Hospital.
William J. Rockett's Tribute To His Wife Frances R. Rockett At Her Funeral:
Assumption Church, San Leandro, California, Monday, September 27, 1999, Mass, 10AM.
"On behalf of the Rockett family I want to thank all who are here this morning, our friends, great neighbors, relatives and Father Joe for the tremendous support and love you have given to my dear Fran during her illnesses. It was inspirational to her in having heard from and seen so many during that time.
Fran was my devoted, caring, loving wife and best friend. We were married fifty-six years ago at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11, 1942. There was a war on then and time was precious. We didn't quite make fifty-seven which would have been this coming November 11th. But, they were great years and I am thankful to her for making my life-her's too, such an enjoyable life together. God has been very good to us and for that we are very thankful. She was a wonderful, class lady with lots of personal pride in her appearance. She dressed well and loved to have her hair styled exactly the way she wanted it. Her hair dresser for the past twenty-four years, Elza, was also devastated by her passing.
FRANCES ROSE WOHLKEN her maiden name is of Irish-German extraction. That's a good combination. It is fiery and brilliant just like a diamond and she was just that. She was born in San Francisco but didn't want to mention the date. Age had no significance to Fran. She lived the days, the years very vigorously and to the full extent. In fact, she told me that if I published her age at time of death she would come back to haunt me. Of course, we laughed.
The family were true San Franciscans. They lived in the Old Mission District. Both her Mother, Father, Grandparents and one sister Gladys who died in 1976 were native San Franciscans. Her Great Grandfather was a native of Bremerhaven, Germany and Great Grandmother of the quaint little village of Moville in Donegal, Ireland. That is right near that volatile border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed the search for her roots, came close but didn't make a connection.
Fran attended San Francisco schools through fourth grade. Her folks were enterprising. They had an 'Express' business in the City. She said she sat on the front office step and waited for a customer to come along wanting something moved. She loved jumping up and pushing down on the old truck's horn that sounded a loud'Ah-oooo-ga' that would bring her father out. She took rides around the City with him. The Ferry Building she quickly identified and it became her lifelong favorite in The City.
The family moved to Huntington Beach during her fifth grade where her father and grandfather were 'wild cat' oil drillers. As a ten year old she showed interest in the business, listened intently to her folks and learned a lot about the oil business. She was her father's girl, always with him and helping him all she could. An interesting little ditty she told about a happening at the well. There was a breakdown during the drilling process so her father took her out to the platform at the well. He had a tough crew and foreman but instead of asking them what to do next he looked at Fran and asked, "What do we do now, Fran?" Unhesitatingly, she answered, "You've got to pull the well, Pop." Her father pointed at the foreman saying, "Pull the well." The foreman's authority had been overridden in favor of the well owner's little daughter--he was mad and screamed, "Why don't you give the job to the damned kid!" Even as a child and all through life her father cherished her opinions. Fran played the violin and as she progressed she became First Violinist in the Huntington Beach High School orchestra. She said the teacher asked her to do a rendition of Danny Boy and it brought tears to his eyes. She said she wasn't sure if it was the screech of the violin or was played really well to bring that reaction. Our son Ed will honor his mother and pay tribute to her by playing Danny Boy on his Irish Tin Whistle.
It was in her Senior year that the family moved again to Woodland where her Grandfather built the Del Mar Hotel which we heard is now a parking lot for the County Courthouse. Her folks ran the Dining Room and as a teenager she waited on tables. Her usual tip was the big sum of twenty-five cents. A second move in her senior year brought the family to Oakland where she continued to be an excellent student and graduated from Fremont High School.
Fran and I met at United Autographic Register Company, an Emeryville printing company, where we both worked. She was a classy young lady. We both liked the Big Bands. Our first date was a Sunday afternoon dance to Glenn Miller's orchestra at Sweet's Ballroom on Franklin Street, Oakland. Other favorites of her's were biking around and strolling Lake Merritt, movies at the Paramount Theatre and attending Sunday Mass with me. Later on when she enjoyed travelling and became an excellent photographer, our family of three growing boys and the wonders of Yosemite were her favorite subjects. It was during those formative years that she directed her full energy and love to the boys schooling and development.
That tender love and interest continued right along through their college and professional careers. She was always deeply interested in knowing what they were doing and how things were going. I never heard her brag but a friend's inquiry would most certainly bring a positive response.
She thoroughly enjoyed and loved her three grandchildren starting with the arrival of Aaron in 1978, Ashley in 1980 and Kara in 1983. They were special and provided a new inspiration in her life. She enjoyed time spent caring for them and as they grew up their school events were special occasions. Just recently she was so happy about Aaron's accomplishments at St. Mary's College and his completion of a semester of study at The University of Cape town, South Africa. It pleased her that Ashley was starting at The University Of San Francisco, her fathers's university. That Kara was doing well with a heavy academic load as a junior at Bishop O'Dowd High School and that she had made the Varsity Cross Country team. Just last Thursday, the day of her Grandmother's death, Kara dedicated her three mile run to her Grandmother's memory. It was special for me to be there and see her do that run up and down the rugged hills of Hayward an area many of us couldn't walk. the energy, the devotion, the sweat that Kara put into that three mile run was a wonderful memorial to her Grandmother.
Through the years Yosemite remained the ultimate as an outdoor paradise for her. She loved the family reunions there and said that staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel was a far cry from camp outs when they were kids but it was all fun for her.
She was proud of her membership in the Saint La Salle Society at St. Mary's and enjoyed close association with the Christian Brothers. Brother Thomas and Brother Edmond, current President of the school, became her close friends. The annual get togethers were special to her. She was very helpful to me when I served on the Development committee. She honed her skills and , as usual, became very proficient in the technique of fund raising. She lovingly referred to Brother Edmond as 'Her favorite Big Shot.' She felt he wouldn't be offended. He wasn't. He smiled and laughed.
Fran withstood her illnesses like a Trooper. She had looked forward very positively toward recovery with full faith in God. She loved our Catholic Religion. Father Joe was special to both of us. He kept in close contact with his blessings and a last anointing of Fran.
I don't know how I am going to say good by to this Class lady. With your help I will try and ask you at this moment to concentrate on Fran.
Fran dear, I want to thank you for everything. For making my life the joy it has been. You are everything to me. I love you. We know that you are now with God and perpetual light is shining upon you. We know that we will meet again so I ask you to use your networking skills and put a word in for us with the good Lord. We need that. We will never, ever forget you. I love you. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Your Bill
Amen."
She married William Joseph Rockett, Nov. 11, 1942 in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Az. and had 3 Boys.
She died in the San Leandro Hospital.
William J. Rockett's Tribute To His Wife Frances R. Rockett At Her Funeral:
Assumption Church, San Leandro, California, Monday, September 27, 1999, Mass, 10AM.
"On behalf of the Rockett family I want to thank all who are here this morning, our friends, great neighbors, relatives and Father Joe for the tremendous support and love you have given to my dear Fran during her illnesses. It was inspirational to her in having heard from and seen so many during that time.
Fran was my devoted, caring, loving wife and best friend. We were married fifty-six years ago at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11, 1942. There was a war on then and time was precious. We didn't quite make fifty-seven which would have been this coming November 11th. But, they were great years and I am thankful to her for making my life-her's too, such an enjoyable life together. God has been very good to us and for that we are very thankful. She was a wonderful, class lady with lots of personal pride in her appearance. She dressed well and loved to have her hair styled exactly the way she wanted it. Her hair dresser for the past twenty-four years, Elza, was also devastated by her passing.
FRANCES ROSE WOHLKEN her maiden name is of Irish-German extraction. That's a good combination. It is fiery and brilliant just like a diamond and she was just that. She was born in San Francisco but didn't want to mention the date. Age had no significance to Fran. She lived the days, the years very vigorously and to the full extent. In fact, she told me that if I published her age at time of death she would come back to haunt me. Of course, we laughed.
The family were true San Franciscans. They lived in the Old Mission District. Both her Mother, Father, Grandparents and one sister Gladys who died in 1976 were native San Franciscans. Her Great Grandfather was a native of Bremerhaven, Germany and Great Grandmother of the quaint little village of Moville in Donegal, Ireland. That is right near that volatile border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed the search for her roots, came close but didn't make a connection.
Fran attended San Francisco schools through fourth grade. Her folks were enterprising. They had an 'Express' business in the City. She said she sat on the front office step and waited for a customer to come along wanting something moved. She loved jumping up and pushing down on the old truck's horn that sounded a loud'Ah-oooo-ga' that would bring her father out. She took rides around the City with him. The Ferry Building she quickly identified and it became her lifelong favorite in The City.
The family moved to Huntington Beach during her fifth grade where her father and grandfather were 'wild cat' oil drillers. As a ten year old she showed interest in the business, listened intently to her folks and learned a lot about the oil business. She was her father's girl, always with him and helping him all she could. An interesting little ditty she told about a happening at the well. There was a breakdown during the drilling process so her father took her out to the platform at the well. He had a tough crew and foreman but instead of asking them what to do next he looked at Fran and asked, "What do we do now, Fran?" Unhesitatingly, she answered, "You've got to pull the well, Pop." Her father pointed at the foreman saying, "Pull the well." The foreman's authority had been overridden in favor of the well owner's little daughter--he was mad and screamed, "Why don't you give the job to the damned kid!" Even as a child and all through life her father cherished her opinions. Fran played the violin and as she progressed she became First Violinist in the Huntington Beach High School orchestra. She said the teacher asked her to do a rendition of Danny Boy and it brought tears to his eyes. She said she wasn't sure if it was the screech of the violin or was played really well to bring that reaction. Our son Ed will honor his mother and pay tribute to her by playing Danny Boy on his Irish Tin Whistle.
It was in her Senior year that the family moved again to Woodland where her Grandfather built the Del Mar Hotel which we heard is now a parking lot for the County Courthouse. Her folks ran the Dining Room and as a teenager she waited on tables. Her usual tip was the big sum of twenty-five cents. A second move in her senior year brought the family to Oakland where she continued to be an excellent student and graduated from Fremont High School.
Fran and I met at United Autographic Register Company, an Emeryville printing company, where we both worked. She was a classy young lady. We both liked the Big Bands. Our first date was a Sunday afternoon dance to Glenn Miller's orchestra at Sweet's Ballroom on Franklin Street, Oakland. Other favorites of her's were biking around and strolling Lake Merritt, movies at the Paramount Theatre and attending Sunday Mass with me. Later on when she enjoyed travelling and became an excellent photographer, our family of three growing boys and the wonders of Yosemite were her favorite subjects. It was during those formative years that she directed her full energy and love to the boys schooling and development.
That tender love and interest continued right along through their college and professional careers. She was always deeply interested in knowing what they were doing and how things were going. I never heard her brag but a friend's inquiry would most certainly bring a positive response.
She thoroughly enjoyed and loved her three grandchildren starting with the arrival of Aaron in 1978, Ashley in 1980 and Kara in 1983. They were special and provided a new inspiration in her life. She enjoyed time spent caring for them and as they grew up their school events were special occasions. Just recently she was so happy about Aaron's accomplishments at St. Mary's College and his completion of a semester of study at The University of Cape town, South Africa. It pleased her that Ashley was starting at The University Of San Francisco, her fathers's university. That Kara was doing well with a heavy academic load as a junior at Bishop O'Dowd High School and that she had made the Varsity Cross Country team. Just last Thursday, the day of her Grandmother's death, Kara dedicated her three mile run to her Grandmother's memory. It was special for me to be there and see her do that run up and down the rugged hills of Hayward an area many of us couldn't walk. the energy, the devotion, the sweat that Kara put into that three mile run was a wonderful memorial to her Grandmother.
Through the years Yosemite remained the ultimate as an outdoor paradise for her. She loved the family reunions there and said that staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel was a far cry from camp outs when they were kids but it was all fun for her.
She was proud of her membership in the Saint La Salle Society at St. Mary's and enjoyed close association with the Christian Brothers. Brother Thomas and Brother Edmond, current President of the school, became her close friends. The annual get togethers were special to her. She was very helpful to me when I served on the Development committee. She honed her skills and , as usual, became very proficient in the technique of fund raising. She lovingly referred to Brother Edmond as 'Her favorite Big Shot.' She felt he wouldn't be offended. He wasn't. He smiled and laughed.
Fran withstood her illnesses like a Trooper. She had looked forward very positively toward recovery with full faith in God. She loved our Catholic Religion. Father Joe was special to both of us. He kept in close contact with his blessings and a last anointing of Fran.
I don't know how I am going to say good by to this Class lady. With your help I will try and ask you at this moment to concentrate on Fran.
Fran dear, I want to thank you for everything. For making my life the joy it has been. You are everything to me. I love you. We know that you are now with God and perpetual light is shining upon you. We know that we will meet again so I ask you to use your networking skills and put a word in for us with the good Lord. We need that. We will never, ever forget you. I love you. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Your Bill
Amen."
She died in the San Leandro Hospital.
William J. Rockett's Tribute To His Wife Frances R. Rockett At Her Funeral:
Assumption Church, San Leandro, California, Monday, September 27, 1999, Mass, 10AM.
"On behalf of the Rockett family I want to thank all who are here this morning, our friends, great neighbors, relatives and Father Joe for the tremendous support and love you have given to my dear Fran during her illnesses. It was inspirational to her in having heard from and seen so many during that time.
Fran was my devoted, caring, loving wife and best friend. We were married fifty-six years ago at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11, 1942. There was a war on then and time was precious. We didn't quite make fifty-seven which would have been this coming November 11th. But, they were great years and I am thankful to her for making my life-her's too, such an enjoyable life together. God has been very good to us and for that we are very thankful. She was a wonderful, class lady with lots of personal pride in her appearance. She dressed well and loved to have her hair styled exactly the way she wanted it. Her hair dresser for the past twenty-four years, Elza, was also devastated by her passing.
FRANCES ROSE WOHLKEN her maiden name is of Irish-German extraction. That's a good combination. It is fiery and brilliant just like a diamond and she was just that. She was born in San Francisco but didn't want to mention the date. Age had no significance to Fran. She lived the days, the years very vigorously and to the full extent. In fact, she told me that if I published her age at time of death she would come back to haunt me. Of course, we laughed.
The family were true San Franciscans. They lived in the Old Mission District. Both her Mother, Father, Grandparents and one sister Gladys who died in 1976 were native San Franciscans. Her Great Grandfather was a native of Bremerhaven, Germany and Great Grandmother of the quaint little village of Moville in Donegal, Ireland. That is right near that volatile border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed the search for her roots, came close but didn't make a connection.
Fran attended San Francisco schools through fourth grade. Her folks were enterprising. They had an 'Express' business in the City. She said she sat on the front office step and waited for a customer to come along wanting something moved. She loved jumping up and pushing down on the old truck's horn that sounded a loud'Ah-oooo-ga' that would bring her father out. She took rides around the City with him. The Ferry Building she quickly identified and it became her lifelong favorite in The City.
The family moved to Huntington Beach during her fifth grade where her father and grandfather were 'wild cat' oil drillers. As a ten year old she showed interest in the business, listened intently to her folks and learned a lot about the oil business. She was her father's girl, always with him and helping him all she could. An interesting little ditty she told about a happening at the well. There was a breakdown during the drilling process so her father took her out to the platform at the well. He had a tough crew and foreman but instead of asking them what to do next he looked at Fran and asked, "What do we do now, Fran?" Unhesitatingly, she answered, "You've got to pull the well, Pop." Her father pointed at the foreman saying, "Pull the well." The foreman's authority had been overridden in favor of the well owner's little daughter--he was mad and screamed, "Why don't you give the job to the damned kid!" Even as a child and all through life her father cherished her opinions. Fran played the violin and as she progressed she became First Violinist in the Huntington Beach High School orchestra. She said the teacher asked her to do a rendition of Danny Boy and it brought tears to his eyes. She said she wasn't sure if it was the screech of the violin or was played really well to bring that reaction. Our son Ed will honor his mother and pay tribute to her by playing Danny Boy on his Irish Tin Whistle.
It was in her Senior year that the family moved again to Woodland where her Grandfather built the Del Mar Hotel which we heard is now a parking lot for the County Courthouse. Her folks ran the Dining Room and as a teenager she waited on tables. Her usual tip was the big sum of twenty-five cents. A second move in her senior year brought the family to Oakland where she continued to be an excellent student and graduated from Fremont High School.
Fran and I met at United Autographic Register Company, an Emeryville printing company, where we both worked. She was a classy young lady. We both liked the Big Bands. Our first date was a Sunday afternoon dance to Glenn Miller's orchestra at Sweet's Ballroom on Franklin Street, Oakland. Other favorites of her's were biking around and strolling Lake Merritt, movies at the Paramount Theatre and attending Sunday Mass with me. Later on when she enjoyed travelling and became an excellent photographer, our family of three growing boys and the wonders of Yosemite were her favorite subjects. It was during those formative years that she directed her full energy and love to the boys schooling and development.
That tender love and interest continued right along through their college and professional careers. She was always deeply interested in knowing what they were doing and how things were going. I never heard her brag but a friend's inquiry would most certainly bring a positive response.
She thoroughly enjoyed and loved her three grandchildren starting with the arrival of Aaron in 1978, Ashley in 1980 and Kara in 1983. They were special and provided a new inspiration in her life. She enjoyed time spent caring for them and as they grew up their school events were special occasions. Just recently she was so happy about Aaron's accomplishments at St. Mary's College and his completion of a semester of study at The University of Cape town, South Africa. It pleased her that Ashley was starting at The University Of San Francisco, her fathers's university. That Kara was doing well with a heavy academic load as a junior at Bishop O'Dowd High School and that she had made the Varsity Cross Country team. Just last Thursday, the day of her Grandmother's death, Kara dedicated her three mile run to her Grandmother's memory. It was special for me to be there and see her do that run up and down the rugged hills of Hayward an area many of us couldn't walk. the energy, the devotion, the sweat that Kara put into that three mile run was a wonderful memorial to her Grandmother.
Through the years Yosemite remained the ultimate as an outdoor paradise for her. She loved the family reunions there and said that staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel was a far cry from camp outs when they were kids but it was all fun for her.
She was proud of her membership in the Saint La Salle Society at St. Mary's and enjoyed close association with the Christian Brothers. Brother Thomas and Brother Edmond, current President of the school, became her close friends. The annual get togethers were special to her. She was very helpful to me when I served on the Development committee. She honed her skills and , as usual, became very proficient in the technique of fund raising. She lovingly referred to Brother Edmond as 'Her favorite Big Shot.' She felt he wouldn't be offended. He wasn't. He smiled and laughed.
Fran withstood her illnesses like a Trooper. She had looked forward very positively toward recovery with full faith in God. She loved our Catholic Religion. Father Joe was special to both of us. He kept in close contact with his blessings and a last anointing of Fran.
I don't know how I am going to say good by to this Class lady. With your help I will try and ask you at this moment to concentrate on Fran.
Fran dear, I want to thank you for everything. For making my life the joy it has been. You are everything to me. I love you. We know that you are now with God and perpetual light is shining upon you. We know that we will meet again so I ask you to use your networking skills and put a word in for us with the good Lord. We need that. We will never, ever forget you. I love you. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Your Bill
Amen."
