Frances Charlotte Kilgus, of Tinton Falls, NJ, and formerly of Kissimmee, FL, Norwalk, CT and Bronxville, NY passed away May 5, 2024. Born on January 1, 1942, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, Fran was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Kilgus of Bronxville, NY. She attended the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in White Plains, NY and St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York City. Fran led a life of service, first serving her country as a Second Lieutenant active as a clinical nurse in the United States Air Force, then serving as the in-house nurse in several corporations, including Pitney Bowes and IBM.
She served at the Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, AZ while in the USAF, and then was honorably discharged and continued to serve as a nurse for nearly 40 years. She was an involved member of Good Counsel High School Association, St. Vincent’s School of Nursing Alumni Association and the Womens’ Club of Norwalk, CT. She was an active parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe, NY and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilton, CT.
While she spent her working days serving as a nurse, later in life - for nearly 10 years - she cared for Charlotte, her ailing mother and family matriarch. The devoted attention and expert care given to this beloved family member was deeply appreciated by the entire clan. More generally, she was very attentive to her friends and family: there was not a birthday or holiday that went by without acknowledgement via a call or card from Fran. She always had something nice to say about everyone she met and had a positive outlook on life in general.
In addition to being attentive to and interested in those she loved; she embodied mid-century glamour. She was energetic and loved to talk about reading and far-flung adventures, beautifully bejeweled while discussing shopping, an upcoming trip or interesting books she would happily loan out. She was the kind of woman who always dressed up for regular errands, wafts of Coco Chanel trailing after her. To know Fran was to be acquainted with life's high and tiny luxuries: her drawers overflowed with elegant cosmetics and sophisticated potions. Her home was meticulously decorated during the holidays. From her numerous trips abroad, she would collect sparkly baubles and precious trinkets, every one with a story of its own. As much as she loved home, she also loved visiting cities, which was always a treat filled with museums and nice restaurants. She even landed a job as a nurse at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which aligned perfectly with her love of museums, glamour, art, and her continuing theme of service.
She will be remembered for her wide smile, infectious, bubbly laughter and sweet bellowing of “Hello, Darling!” as she welcomed guests into her home. She is survived by her siblings, Mary (Joe) Jackson of Lavallette, NJ, John (Peggy) Kilgus of Denver, CO and sister-in-law Elizabeth Kilgus of Kissimmee, FL. She also leaves four nieces, Maureen (Beth) Gibson of Denver, CO, Catherine (Wes) Woodle of Farmingdale, NJ, Tara (Ian) Glenn of San Diego, CA and Jennifer (Bob) Smits-Kilgus of Nootdorp, The Netherlands. She is also survived by one nephew, Aaron (Patty) Dimmer of Denver, CO. She was an adoring cousin, aunt and friend to numerous other family members, grandnieces, grandnephews and close friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Dr. William J. Kilgus.
A Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Catharine of Siena Church in Seaside Park, NJ on August 16, 2024, at 10:00am. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bloomfield Cooper Funeral Home.
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