Obituary of Frances Haines

Rexford - Frances Mary Whitcomb Haines died at the Wesley Nursing Home in Saratoga Springs, NY on December 11, 2008 of cardiac failure, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer Disease. Mrs. Haines was born June 19, 1923 in Claremont, NH, daughter of Arthur and Hazel (Hitchcock) Whitcomb. She graduated from Stevens High School, and then attended the Mary Fletcher Nursing School in Burlington, VT, graduating in 1944. In 1945 she and Dr. Gerald Haines were married and, after a 3 day honeymoon, bid each other goodbye until they were reunited several weeks later at Carlyle Barracks in PA where her husband was stationed for basic training as a US Army Medical Officer. During her husband's tour of duty and residency medical training, Mrs. Haines embraced work as a registered nurse in multiple hospitals including Alta Bates in Berkeley, CA, Columbia Presbyterian in New York City, NY, University Hospital in Minneapolis, MN and the Mary Fletcher. Fran became a full time mother on the birth of the first of her three sons. The family settled in Schenectady, NY in 1953. In addition to being a loving mother, she found time to be active outside the home. She was a volunteer at Planned Parenthood, and a long-time member of First United Methodist Church where she once served as chair person of the Board of Trustees. She was an active supporter of the Schenectady Inner City Ministry, member of the PEO, Thursday Naturalists, and WIGS (an investment club). She was also a member of the League of the Schenectady Symphony and of the Auxiliary of the Medical Society, serving one year as president. She was greatly interested in the public good, never seeking personal recognition. Fran loved to travel. Among her many travels, her husband's professional trips brought her to Maceo, Brazil, to Spain, to Paris, to San Juan, PR, and to Guayaquil, Ecuador. With the Thursday Naturalists she went to the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, and Costa Rica. She and her husband also participated in multiple Elderhostel trips. Family travel took her to England and to the Outer Hebrides in Scotland to locate an ancestral home. Her most challenging trip may have been a successful three thousand mile car trip across the U.S. with two school age children. She chauffeured many young skiers on trips in her Jeep. Fran was a lovely, gentle, considerate woman who loved reading and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was an enthusiastic quilter, bridge player, and cross country skier. She also took particular pleasure in the accomplishments of her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Dr. Gerald L. Haines; her sister Jean (Mrs Ted) Mihran of Schenectady; and her sons Stephen J., M.D. and his wife Jennifer of Minneapolis, MN; David L., Ph.D. and his wife Jennifer of Ann Arbor, MI; and Jonathan L., Ph.D. and his wife Joyce of Nashville, TN. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Christopher, Jeremy, Amanda, Sarah, Alex, and Connor; and by her four great-grandchildren: Cy, Cg, Cyana, and Cynder. She was predeceased by her brother Robert of Rutland, VT. Fran was interred in the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church in Schenectady, pastor Steven Clunn presiding, and with immediate family in attendance. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 603 State St., Schenectady NY, 12305 or to the Wesley Foundation (Meinhardt Partnership for Nursing Education), 131 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. The family is very grateful to the staff of the third floor of the "Springs" unit at the Wesley Health Care Center for their exceptional skill and compassion over the past several years, and also to the Community Hospice of Saratoga County. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 10th at 2:00 PM.