Frances R. Garside died peacefully Nov. 29 after a short illness at Saratoga Hospital.
Born June 8, 1922 to Ora and John Rand, she grew up Melrose, Mass. and married William A. Garside on Jan. 31, 1943. Their marriage lasted 62 wonderful years. During their life together, they moved to the Chicago area, settling in Evanston for many years. Once William retired, they moved back east to Brunswick to be closer to family, spending summers in their cottage in Pemaquid. She recently moved to Queensbury, N.Y. to be close to her daughter.
Fran was an active member in the Unitarian Church in Melrose, Mass. and in Evanston, Ill. She became the committee chairwoman in the selection of a new minister and participated in many of the church activities. During the summer months, she was store marketing manager for her sister’s gift shops, assisted with merchandising selection at annual sales conventions and provided aid and companionship during her sister’s sales trips.
But by far, the most important contribution she gave in life was being a foster mother to 108 babies, many of whom had medical and emotional issues. She began her career as a foster mother for Illinois Children Home and Aid Society in 1966 and “retired” in 1987. Because she and William had adopted two children of their own, Fran felt that the first few days, weeks and months of a baby’s life required love, patience, stimulation and attention. She spent many years of her adult life devoting those requisites to each and every one of “her” babies.
When not working or tending to babies, Fran’s passion was uncovering a delicious restaurant, finishing a crossword puzzle, reading an exceptionally good book or seeing a great movie.
Fran was fiercely independent and liberal minded. She was so excited to vote for the first black president, and her only disappointment is she won’t get to see that office filled by a woman. Her determination to embrace diversity in all aspects of life was her moral compass and because of that, she touched the lives of many people.
She was predeceased by her husband, William A.; sisters, Marianne Williamson and Martha Allessio; sister-in-law, Barbara Schumann; and brothers-in-law, Dwight Schumann, Louis Allessio, and Harry Williamson.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William D. and Sandi Garside of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, Pamela R. Garside and fiancé Donald F. Lilley of Queensbury, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Janice Garside of Delray Beach, Fla.; many nieces and nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and many dear friends.
There will a memorial service next August at the family place in Maine.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Fran in a special way may make a donation to your local SPCA or battered women’s shelter in her name
Arrangements are under the direction of the Regan Denny Stafford Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Rd., Queensbury, NY.
