Frances Louise Raftery

Frances Louise Mary Ouellette Raftery celebrated her 102nd Birthday on, November 25, 2012. Frances was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on November 25, 1910, to Ernest and Jennie Huber Ouellette. She is the first born daughter to her parents along with 2 older brothers, 2 younger brothers and 1 younger sister. Between the birth of her older brothers, Harold and Huber there was a little baby boy who was stillborn or lost during pregnancy; and a year later Frances was born. She was named after both of her grandmothers. Frances was born at home when her parents lived on 4th Street and 6th Avenue East at 925 4th Street, Duluth, Minnesota.

During her long life, as a little girl she played the piano and later in life taught her granddaughter, Jenni, to play “chords” on the piano. During World War I when Frances was in grade school she learned how to knit and making articles of clothing for the men fighting for our country. She received her First Holy Communion when she was 9 years old. She was very close to her Aunt Tillie, her mother’s sister. Throughout her high school years and beyond she wore high heel shoes and earrings all her life. Her brother, Eugene Ector, said that wearing earrings “holds her brain down.” Frances graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1929 and as a young woman she worked in downtown Duluth, at the Glass Block Department Store working in the Baby Department selling “Shirley Temple Dresses.” She also worked in downtown, Duluth at the “Big Duluth Men Store” as a cashier. Frances was once told by her brother-in-law, Tom, that he thought she had missed her calling as to that of being a kindergarten teacher. She has a special way of working, talking, reading and relating to small children and Frances really loves the little children and they loved her in return as her many nieces and nephews could tell you.

In March 1942, she entered the US Marine Corps during World War II. She was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when President Franklin Roosevelt died. Frances also worked at the Navy Annex on officers leave and worked at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, DC in the registrar’s office. In 1946 she met her future husband, Thomas F. Raftery, known as Frank, at a Marine Corps Ball and asked to be introduced to her. They married in November 1947 and had 2 daughters, Kathleen Frances and Mary Margaret. Frances was married to her husband, Frank, for 28 years, 1 month and 27 days and has been a widow for 36 years. She has 3 married granddaughters, Stephanie, Cynthia and Jennifer and 1 great-grandson, Jordan Gabriel and 1 great-granddaughter, Paige Abigail.

Throughout her life, Frances has sewn many beautiful clothes for herself, her daughters, granddaughters, husband and others. Some of her sewing projects included making a set of clothes for dolls and collars for the Order of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; sewing her daughter, Mary’s wedding gown, headpiece and double veil and her daughter, Kathleen’s Maid of Honor gown and headpiece. Frances was experienced knitter who liked the challenge of tackling many difficult knitting patterns. She knitted many articles of clothing for herself, daughters and granddaughters when they were infants and toddlers. Frances also worked on many different needlepoint projects and worked the daily crossword puzzles. She also loved gardening and keeping the year looking lovely in the spring of the year.

Frances was a devoted and devout Catholic and has sold religious articles and Christmas cards for her church; sang in the choir and was the “Grand Regent” of the Catholic Daughters of America” while living in Jacksonville, North Carolina and attending the Infant of Prague Roman Catholic Church. Her husband, Frank, was a member of the Knights of Columbus while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1954 to May 1957 when he received orders to be transferred back to the Navy Annex in Washington, DC. In November 1972, Frank and Frances celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary and Aunt Margie, and Uncle Charlie came from New York City to celebrate the day. Mother and Dad had a beautiful anniversary cake and birthday cake for Mother was had by all. In 1976 she traveled to Ireland with St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church Group with the pastor, at that time, Father John Nagel, of the Precious Blood Order and many friends. She also enjoyed making many trips with her daughter, Mary back to Duluth, Minnesota and Columbia, Tennessee throughout the years. She is a member of Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia. Frances resided at the same address in Annandale, Virginia and lived there for the past 55 years.