logcabinmama Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 One of our loved ones has gone home to be with God. Francis (King) Gatch was born on March 12, 1944. Went to be with our Lord on Thursday September 16. 2004. Francis had spent time in Alaska as well as Florida and her last home was located in Chattanooga, TN. She loved her home in TN. I know she did not want to move back to FL. as there were to many memories there and she just loved her home and the people where she lived last. Fran loved her daughter and son-in-law, and was looking forward to the day she would be a grandmother. This did not happen for her though. Fran loved people, she loved working with genealogy, she loved her cats and she loved watching the birds out on her patio. Fran tried many types of craft things. Fran loved life, even though she had had a very rough life. . Fran, at one time wrote a family news paper. She was a moderator on both Mrs. Survival and Our Country Haven, Fran will be missed by so many people on line, more than just on these two sites. I have known Fran since 1999 when I met her on Mrs. S. We met in the Health forum and we were made a team for helping each other stay on our diets. Which of course, we didn't stay on the diets, but we have been very very close every since. We have spent many hours on Yahoo messenger talking and also many many more hours on the phone talking. She was like a long distant sister to me. We talked about everything and anything. We talked about our families, and our likes and dislikes, when we were feeling blue, we could talk to each other and feel better. We told each other things that we would not tell others, or post on line. Fran has suffered different problems these past few years. With her osteoporosis, she has had broken bones which were hard to heal. Now May of 2004 she had a heart valve replacement done she had a hard time with the side affects of this surgery. Then Fran had a stoke which left her paralyzed on her left side, as well as unable to speak. She was left handed, therefore unable to do much writing. Fran, if there had been any way at all that I could have been with you at the hospital, you know I would have been there for you. Fran, I know you are not in pain any more. I love you and will see you again one day. God bless you. Thank you for all you have done for so many people. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time, Tuesday September 21, if you would like, please take a moment to think about Fran. To remember her and who she was and is. Love and Hugs, Victory in Jesus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I HEARD AN OLD, OLD STORY HOW A SAVIOUR CAME FROM GLORY HOW HE GAVE HIS LIFE ON CALVARY TO SAVE SOMEONE LIKE ME I HEARD ABOUT HIS GROANING, OF HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD'S ATONING THEN I REPENTED OF MY SIN AND WON THE VICTORY OH, VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOUR FOREVER HE SOUGHT ME AND HE BOUGHT ME WITH HIS REDEEMING BLOOD HE LOVED ME ERE I KNEW HIM AND ALL MY LOVE IS DUE HIM HE PLUNGED ME TO VICTORY BENEATH THE CLEANSING FLOOD I HEARD ABOUT HIS HEALING, OF HIS CLEANSING POW'R REVEALING HOW HE MADE THE LAME TO WALK AGAIN AND CAUSED THE BLIND TO SEE AND THEN I CRIED "DEAR JESUS, COME AND HEAL MY BROKEN SPIRIT" AND SOMEHOW JESUS CAME AND BROUGHT TO ME THE VICTORY OH, VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOUR FOREVER ******************************************************* She will hurt no more. Quote Link to comment
ozzzyyy Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Oh dear Snow! everyone! Quote Link to comment
rockncook Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I am heartbroken that I never got to know this lady you all speak so highly of. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family . Quote Link to comment
gardnmom Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I am crying, but the tears are for me not her, I will miss her so very much. Thankfully she is in a better place now. Quote Link to comment
Judy Moist Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I never got to talk with Fran, but have heard so many stories about her and read many of her posts. I feel like I have personally known her.I hate hearing that she has now gone on. But she suffers no more, and remember she is not really gone, she will always be looking over us and be here in our hearts. I will have a moment of silence in her honor. Love to all. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 My heart goes out to you, Snowmom and to Fran's family. I am sure that God had a purpose for having her hang on for such a long time. Thanks for being such a good friend. Quote Link to comment
tacobelle Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I "met" Fran on OCH a few years ago. I "met" Fran in person last Nov. when DH and I were in Chattanooga. Bless her heart, she took a bus, then a shuttle to get to the hotel where we were staying. We had a long lovely chat in the lobby then went to the hotel resturant for lunch and chatted some more. DH then joined us and we chatted some more!!! Afterwards we drove Frannie home and visited with her for a while and met her cats and saw her apartment. She seemed very happy there and liked to sit where she could look out on her patio. She was such a sweet lady and I feel blessed to have known her. May God comfort her family and friends. Quote Link to comment
Synn Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Too all of Frannie's friends here on Mrs. S I am so very sorry to hear this. Your right Snowmom there's victory in Jesus! May God Bless and comfort you all and her family as well. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 What a sad time for all of us. Quote Link to comment
Homesteader Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 How very sad for her family,friends and cyber friends. Quote Link to comment
HapyGirl Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 While I am sad Fran is no longer with us, I am comforted that her suffering is over. She was a wonderful friend. I will miss her. Quote Link to comment
Synn Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Snowmom? Can you also let BJ know that we are all thinking of her? And her daughter Diane? God Bless. Buttercup Quote Link to comment
redhenfarm Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Sad for those she left behind, great victory to Fran as she is free from all crying, sorrow and pain and in the arms of the Lord. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I had the honor of meeting Fran several years ago at a MrsS get together party we were throwing... She was a slight, unobtrusive woman, who when you took the time to interact with, was full of depth and wisdom. Her default method of operation was one of reaching out and helping others, always wanting to give, give, give... She was incredibly sensitive to others and always so very cautious that she not step on anyone's toes cause her depth of caring, far transcended any need she might have. Her frail exterious was just a mask in front of the courage and strength she posessed on the inside. I'll never forget speaking with her on the phone a month or so ago, reading all the responses that everyone had posted in reply to Snowmom's post. I could hear the wonderment in her voice as she confided in me that she never realized that people really DID care about her here. I think in a way, she was one of those rare and beautiful flowers that sometimes stood in the back wings, unassuming, and it wasn't until you took the time, and stopped the hurry and flurry of the days to notice, how special and precious she really was. I feel a deep personal loss over my friend Fran, her quiet ways and sweet demeanor will be sorely missed. For me, the past few months have been full of heartbreaking losses and the one thing I can't quit thinking of is all the missed opportunities I let go by in not sharing with someone over and over again, how special and important they have been to me... Grandma and Fran, if you can see this up there in heaven, know that my heart misses you far beyond any words I can express, but more than that, thank you for all you gave...to others, but especially to me. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I first met Frannie at our Mrs Survival party in Arkansas in 2000. She was very nervous about coming, especially arriving at the airport. You see, she was considered legally blind. She was so worried that she would be stranded there and not have anyone to help her. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Thanks for posting this SnowMom....we will miss her dearly.... Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 So sad you are no longer with us Fran, but so happy for you now that your suffering is done and you are home with our Father. Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I am just heartbroken...Fran was all that everyone wrote about her and much, much more. I'm happy that she isn't hurting anymore, but the world has lost a truly magnificent person, and she will be dearly missed. May God grant us all a little peace... Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I haven't been able to write... I guess I just felt that Fran would come through this and come back. How could she not?? Well, I guess I'm finding out. It hurts down deep. When I had more time to chat, there were 5 of us who would get into chat and just have fun together. Fran was one, and we called ourselves the 5 sisters. Time and life gradually interfere with "fun" time, and I got to where I couldn't fit morning chats into my schedule, and I lost touch. I remember those times and I'm sorry they're gone. I'm sorry Fran is gone. We're gonna have one great reunion in heaven... Till then, thank you, Fran, for sharing your loving heart with us. Quote Link to comment
Linda Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 what wonderful stories of Fran.... thank you all for sharing. may God grant all who where left peace... Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.