Frances Ruth Caldwell

Frances (Fran) was the first-born child of Frank and Ruth Celus in Oakland California on May 18, 1924. Her brother Edward (Ed) was born in 1925. The family moved to Colorado in 1934, so even if Fran was not born in Colorado, she always considered herself a native since she lived here for 85 years. Fran graduated from South High School in 1942 during the second world war in which her brother Ed served in the Navy. In the 1940’s, the family decided to build a log cabin in Red Feather Lakes. They built the cabin by hand (no electric tools used), and it took them close to 10 years to finish. Fran worked as a payroll clerk for Montgomery Wards for 9 years and then worked as payroll clerk for the Denver Wholesale Florists for 9 years.

On October 25, 1958, she married Frank Caldwell and had her daughter Melody in 1963. After her daughter was born, she quit working and became a stay-at-home Mom. Fran kept busy with Melody’s school functions, activities with Eastern Star and enjoyed many weekends at the cabin the family built. After her husband Frank died in 1991, she sold her home and moved into a condo at Heather Gardens in Aurora. She continued to be active with Eastern Star (she was a 69-year member) until macular degeneration in her eyes forced her to stop driving. Thankfully with her good eye she was still able to enjoy her favorite pastime of reading books up until 3 weeks before she died. Fran loved her Broncos and would watch every game they played. Fran was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend and she was also a very witty and funny lady even up until the time she passed away. Fran had a long life well lived and died peacefully in her home with her family beside her.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Colorado Talking Book Library at www.myctbl.org or Eastern Star at oes-colorado.org.