The Wednesday Tennis ladies wore yellow in honour of their friend ‘Fran’.

We attended the funeral service for Francis Long on Tuesday which was excellently conducted by one of our tennis players, Susan Carter, at Fran’s request.

One hundred and fifty family and friends attended the service held at the Newcastle Memorial Park, Beresfield.

Fran’s grandchildren, Johanna and Peter, spoke about the close bond and admiration they held for their grandmother.

Tim, her son, read his father Bob’s story, “My Life with Fran”.

They were teenagers when they met and in December would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.
We were told of a wonderful and interesting life that they had shared together.

Fran passed with dignity in Bob’s arms following an unexpected and short illness while at the Mater Hospital.

We have all been enriched for having known our friend Fran, an enthusiastic tennis player, keen sailor and so much more.

Our Friend

Our friend has been there with us

Many years we’ve played our game

With fun and humour, we shared events

Too numerous now to name.

Be like Fran, enjoy your time

Make the most of every day

It’s well we know not what’s ahead

Or the part that we will play.

Bright eyes filled with enthusiasm

Fran certainly enjoyed her game

Only when she was missing, we knew

The sea was hers to claim.

Sail on dear friend forever more

In our memories we will see

The fun and enjoyment we shared

With our friend, so let it be!

Anne Johnson