Frances L. Connor
RONAN — Frances L. Connor, 80, died Jan. 3, 2006, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Frances was born May 9, 1926, in Victor to Albert Cowan and Gladys (Kierns) Cowan. She was raised on the family farm and educated in Victor schools, graduating in 1944 as valedictorian of her class. After high school, Frances began nurses training at Montana State College (later University). During that time she met her husband, John Connor. They were married in 1946. To that marriage were born three children.
In 1952, Frances returned to nurses training, receiving her RN diploma in 1954. Frances worked as a registered nurse, a career that she loved, at St. Ann's Hospital (later Anaconda Community Hospital) in Anaconda, where she and John raised their family. For many years she worked in the recovery room caring for patients immediately after surgery. She retired in 1988, but continued to help at the Area 5 Agency on Aging, providing routine nursing care at the Metcalf Senior Citizens' Center.
Her husband John died in 1991. In 2002 Frances moved to Deer Lodge where she lived for two years. She moved to Helena to be closer to her son, Fr. Jim, and lived at Hunters Pointe Retirement Community. As her health failed, she moved to St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan in September 2006.
Frances was a long time member of the Anaconda Catholic Community and the Montana Nurses Association. For relaxation she enjoyed sewing and fishing, taking great delight in catching a 26 lb. salmon in Oregon!
She was preceded in death by her parents; her younger sister, Gail Mederios, and her older sister, Altha VanAken.
She is survived by her children: John M. (Jack) and his wife Marilyn, Fr. James A. (Jim), and Rebecca A. (Becky), and four grandsons.
A vigil service was held at Immaculate Conception Parish in Polson on Jan. 7.
Visitation was held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda with a Vigil Service at on Jan. 8. Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 9 at Holy Family Church.
Family and friends gathered at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stevensville for a visitation, Wednesday morning, Jan. 10. Burial next to her husband will follow at the Victor cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan (107 6th Ave., SW Ronan MT 59864). The family thanks the staff at St. Luke's who showed Mom extraordinary care and compassion during her final illness, as well as the staff and residents at Hunters Pointe in Helena who provided her with a loving home while she lived there. God bless you all.
Arrangements were under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.