Frances Carty

Frankenmuth, MI

Frances M. Carty, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2022.

Fran is survived by her amazingly strong, supportive and loving daughter, Jessica – these are traits she picked and would tell you come from her. Her Grandsons, Colton and Colin who she couldn't be prouder of and she relished knowing she passed on her fierceness, Irish-Stubbornness/Independence, Sarcasm, and Love of Ice Cream, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Pizza and Pepsi/Coke to them. Her brother Frank John Piskor III (Laura) of Baltimore Maryland, who she was forever thankful to for taking care of their mom and dad when she lived in Michigan. And many cousins in Delaware.

She was preceded in passing by her Mother, Gladys M. Piskor and Father, Frank John Piskor Jr.

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FRAN

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 1, 1949, to Frank and Gladys Piskor. She was spoiled rotten as the only child until her younger brother F. John Piskor came along on October 16, 1953.

She graduated from Holy Rosary School in 1963 – just a few short steps from her house on South Chester Street. From there she went on to graduate from Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School in 1967. She then went on to graduate from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1970. She was a licensed RN in both Maryland and Michigan. When she talked about her early nursing days – there was always a playful glint in her eye.

She moved to Michigan in the seventies to support her fiancé who had accepted a Medical Residency in Southeast Michigan. In 1976 a transfer brought her to the Saginaw area where she met her long-time best friend when she joined the Recovery Room Nursing Staff at Ascension St. Mary's. She is grateful for the love and support from her and her extended family that was given continuously and unconditionally to her and Jessica through the years.

She married George A. Carty in June of 1977 and a year later she had her one and only daughter Jessica. I recall someone asked once - why she only had one and her response was quick – because I made perfection the first time – no need for more. – To know Fran was to know she ALWAYS had a quick quip.

She regained independence in 1980 and spent the next chapter of her life being an amazingly independent and strong working single mother role model for her daughter, including earning her Bachelor of Nursing degree from St. Joseph's College in Maine while parenting and working full time.

She became a Spartan Fan for life when she packed up the car and moved her daughter to Michigan State's East Lansing Campus. Football Season and March Madness were the most boisterous times in the house. Her Fandom to the Spartan's was closely followed by the Baltimore Ravens. As evident with more green than purple in the house! While never a big fan of baseball, she would not let you forget to "Stick with them Birds!"

Born and raised in the City, the pull to 'go home' was always strong, and when her dad's health started to decline in the Summer of 2002 she knew she had an opportunity to go help out. After about 25 years in Michigan, Fran moved officially back to the 300 Block of South Chester Street. She was grateful to be able to spend time with her dad, as she was always a daddy's girl. She connected with old friends and made new ones. She was initially a connector of generations on the block and loved being part of the 300 Block of South Chester Street Family. She remodeled the home she grew up in and really enjoyed living there. She loved the hustle and bustle of the city, sitting out on the stoop (just like her dad), and catching up with those on the block daily. Miss Fran as she was called – always had milk bones for the four-legged visitors and popsicles or some sweet treat for those on two legs.

In 2008 she entered into one of her greatest honors and what she talked most about – She joined the Grandma Club! While the club is not defined or restricted by state lines – as we all know too well, online hugs and kisses are just not the same. Christmas visits between Michigan and Maryland and 1 Summer Trip to Maryland and 1 Summer Trip to Michigan was quickly looking to not be enough.

Then in 2013 she bumped up her status when a second grandson was added to her family tree. If anyone saw the car departing Maryland for Michigan for a visit or leaving Maryland after a visit – each and every square inch was utilized and filled with love from Grandma…including Yuengling for the big kids.

She retired in January 2017. With support from her Chester Street Family she packed up the final items of her home and headed back to Michigan at the end of July. She arrived in Michigan a few days before the bulk of her household items did. She laughed and scooped up her oldest for one more Hotel/Pool/Pizza slumber party.

For the next few years she soaked up life through her grandsons which is exactly what she wanted to do. Spoiling them everyday and sometimes more than once a day – carnivals, zoos, festivals, school events, movie theaters, sports practices, dinners in and out, cookies, bubbles, movie/tv days, and just because visits...She simply loved being with them and it didn't matter doing what.

She knew long before anyone else that her body was not going to support her doing the things she wanted to do. We all became experts at packing and moving Grandma to a few different places around town. Every time let me walk through the good memory lane days with her and I remembered and continued to learn new things during the unpacking-packing-unpacking cycle.

We streamed sports events and printed a lot of pictures to keep us with her when she could not be. As much as she loved seeing the boys visit, pictures of where they had been, and videos of their successes – I know it deeply saddened and frustrated her that she could not be present, with the exception of Arizona – she hated the heat!

It will ALWAYS feel too short and there would NEVER be enough hugs or good times, but she lived her life on her terms and undoubtedly packed more than most of spoiling and love into a short amount of time – we have and are continuing to be blessed and embraced with ALOT to remember and smile about.