Fran Larson was born 1930 in New York. Abandoned shortly after birth, little is known about her birth parents except their Irish heritage. After several years bouncing around different foster homes, she was embraced by the Shay family.
She chose nursing as her vocation and devoted her professional life caring for people initially as a hospital nurse then later as an office nurse.
On a vacation tour in the mid 1950s, she met her future husband, Jody Larson. After marrying, they moved to California living in Hollister and Carmel raising their family of two daughters Mary Pat and Cathy. Although they divorced in the early 1980s their friendship was renewed later in life.
Fran adapted to California life — she even had to learn how to drive at the ripe old age of 30. Everyone knew nurse Fran and enjoyed her sense of humor and impish personality. Some might say she had a little Leprechaun in her.
She lived in Palm Springs for a few years before “retiring” to Morro Bay pet sitting and volunteering for Del Mar school. Over her 30 years in Morro Bay, she developed an extended “family” of friends, neighbors, and caregivers who watched over her into her advanced years until her passing in March 2023.
Fran loved her Siamese soul mate Miss Molly Malone and her Morro Bay home. She often said that is where she planned to live the rest of her life. Her Morro Bay family made it possible for her wish to be fulfilled by being her guardian angels insuring she was safe in her home.
We fondly remember Miss Sassy Franny’s funny remarks and miss her dearly.
