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RAPID RIVER - Frances H. Freer, 92, of Rapid River and former Florida resident, passed away on Saturday morning, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Elder Care Inn in the Rapid River area where she was a patient for two years.

Frances was born to George and Frances (Weigand) Hartman in Wilkes Barre, Penn., on Dec. 25, 1916, and was raised in Wilkes Barre. After graduating high school, she attended Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and graduated with bachelor's degree in English at Cornell.

Frances was united in marriage to Clarence Leland Freer on Jan. 17, 1942, on the Cornell University Campus and together raised two daughters.

Frances later continued her education and obtained her teaching degree and subsequently began teaching pre-school and kindergarten in Webster and Rochester, N.Y. Additionally, Frances also taught in the Head Start program from its conception in the mid 1960s.

In 1970, she relocated to Florida where she was also employed as an educator. After the death of her husband, Clarence, in 1996, Frances moved to the Upper Peninsula to reside with her daughter in the Rapid River area.

Florence had many varied interests, which included an interest in ornithology and bird-watching was one of her favorite past-times. Additionally, she enjoyed classical music and going to classical concerts. Frances was of the Episcopal faith.

Frances Freer's survivors include two daughters, "Flo" Don Cutter of the Ensign area of Rapid River, Eleanor (Karl McKinney) Boyce of Naples, Fla.; two grandchildren, Marcus Britton and Renee Cutter; and by two great-grandsons, Jacob and Nathaniel Britton.

A memorial service for Frances Freer will be held on Saturday at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River at 4 p.m. An opportunity to visit with the family will follow at luncheon in the church fellowship hall after funeral services.

The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Frances Freer family and anyone is welcomed to visit www.skradski-boycefuneralhomes.com to leave a message of condolence to the family or to leave a favorite memory regarding Frances for family and friends to appreciate.

The Freer family respectfully requests memorials be directed the Calvary Lutheran Church Organ Fund or the We Move Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders. Envelopes are available at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes or will be available at the church on the day of services.