Francine and I were very best friends from elementary school days on through and past Highland High. I was devastated when I heard of Francine's death. Like many of us, we had drifted apart over the years. I hardly ever travel to Salt Lake City.
I called her mother, in 2008, to connect with her at our 40th reunion. Mrs. Alvey and I talked and talked (she was like a mother to me), and she gave me Francine's current telephone number. Unfortunately, we never spoke, and Francine didn't attend the reunion. She sent a message how sorry she was not to have returned my call.
I was deternined that no matter what, I would find her at our 50th reunion! Even if she didn't attend, I would track her down. I was going to tell her how much she had meant to me while growing up, and how she had influenced my life.
And suddenly, it was too late. Her death has made me know how important it is to tell those from our past, those not in our daily lives, and especially those IN our daily lives, how much they mean to us. All I can hope is that Francine knew how much she meant to me.
We will all miss you, Francine. I will always remember you as my dear friend and the beautiful girl in the halls of Highland. I loved it when we ran into each other at the U or in the drug store when I was in SLC. God’s speed my sweet friend and know that you will be missed at the reunion and always.Love, Debbi Smoot
It's just been a one and a half years since Francine left us. I think of her often. We became close friends/sisters in 8th grade. We didn't do much together pertaining to school things but we had this strong bond that went beyond those things. We shared a love of horses and rode together a lot in high school and college. We talked about family and dates and marriage in depth. She sang a beautiful folk song with her guitar at my mission farewell and never failed in writing me the whole time. She was deciding whom to marry in many of those letters. After we both got married we talked long on the phone. There were a lot of ups-- like babies, new horses, and when she became Mrs. Utah and Ms Congeniality. And there were a lot of confusing, challenging, and frustrating times. Above all she loved and treasured her children. Francine was always searching; for answers, for better ways, for knowledge, and for wisdom. She was very creative with music. She became a sought after speaker for young women activities. She was physically beautiful. She had an easy carefree laugh and was completely loyal to friends. She had a love of nature and a tie with horses that brought her peace. She was married three times to very different men. For this and other reasons her life stayed really interesting. I don't think I know anyone who tried harder than Fran. Awhile ago she became sick and got skin sores and then the searching was over. She died very quickly of merca/sepsis from wound infection. She had many, many very good friends. I feel blessed to be one of them.
Thanks to Peter van Alstyne for writing about Craig Watts.
Liz Kratzer (Bundsen)
Francine and I were very best friends from elementary school days on through and past Highland High. I was devastated when I heard of Francine's death. Like many of us, we had drifted apart over the years. I hardly ever travel to Salt Lake City.
I called her mother, in 2008, to connect with her at our 40th reunion. Mrs. Alvey and I talked and talked (she was like a mother to me), and she gave me Francine's current telephone number. Unfortunately, we never spoke, and Francine didn't attend the reunion. She sent a message how sorry she was not to have returned my call.
I was deternined that no matter what, I would find her at our 50th reunion! Even if she didn't attend, I would track her down. I was going to tell her how much she had meant to me while growing up, and how she had influenced my life.
And suddenly, it was too late. Her death has made me know how important it is to tell those from our past, those not in our daily lives, and especially those IN our daily lives, how much they mean to us. All I can hope is that Francine knew how much she meant to me.
Deborah Shields (Smoot)
We will all miss you, Francine.I will always remember you as
my dear friend and
the beautiful girl
in the halls of
Highland. I loved it when we ran into each other at the U or in the drug store when I was in SLC.
God’s speed my sweet friend and know that you will be missed at the
reunion and always.Love,
Debbi Smoot
Shauna Hunter (South)
Dear Francine,
I remembe many a school morning when we would pick you up for school. Half of us were still pulling out curlers or putting on our shoes.
You were always ready and looking great. We had fun times and I hold your friendship close.
Rest in Peace dear classmate.
Shauna
Amy Howells (White)
It's just been a one and a half years since Francine left us. I think of her often. We became close friends/sisters in 8th grade. We didn't do much together pertaining to school things but we had this strong bond that went beyond those things. We shared a love of horses and rode together a lot in high school and college. We talked about family and dates and marriage in depth. She sang a beautiful folk song with her guitar at my mission farewell and never failed in writing me the whole time. She was deciding whom to marry in many of those letters. After we both got married we talked long on the phone. There were a lot of ups-- like babies, new horses, and when she became Mrs. Utah and Ms Congeniality. And there were a lot of confusing, challenging, and frustrating times. Above all she loved and treasured her children. Francine was always searching; for answers, for better ways, for knowledge, and for wisdom. She was very creative with music. She became a sought after speaker for young women activities. She was physically beautiful. She had an easy carefree laugh and was completely loyal to friends. She had a love of nature and a tie with horses that brought her peace. She was married three times to very different men. For this and other reasons her life stayed really interesting. I don't think I know anyone who tried harder than Fran. Awhile ago she became sick and got skin sores and then the searching was over. She died very quickly of merca/sepsis from wound infection. She had many, many very good friends. I feel blessed to be one of them.
Thanks to Peter van Alstyne for writing about Craig Watts.
Julie Nichols (Goodro)
Thanks for sharing those things, Amy. It answered some of the questions I've had. Francine grew up in my ward, but we were never close.