Francine Duchesne (DeJardin) Haughey

Francine was born on February 20, 1927, in the village of Thisnes in the Wallonia region, near Brussels, Belgium. She was a daughter of the late Nestor and Eva (DeJardin) Duchesne. Her early years were spent living in Brussels and then The Ardennes during World War II. After the war ended, Francine made her way on foot at the age of 16 years, back to her mother’s house in Brussels. She spent the remainder of her teens after the war “dancing and practicing [her] schoolgirl English,” until it was time to work. After trying several different jobs, Francine decided to “introduce herself” to the American Embassy and was able to secure a job in the Consular Section. Although she wasn’t sure if they hired her because of her “superior knowledge” of both English and French, or the fact that her appearance was enhanced by her clothing that was diligently hand-made by her seamstress mother, Francine was most happy to work at the US Embassy because it was one of the buildings in the city with heat. One of her jobs was to register Americans living in Belgium and not long after, a nice young man with a strange last name came to register. A few months later at an embassy reception, they met again. Francis ‘Frank’ Haughey was an American living in Belgium where he was accepted to work for the US State Department after the war ended.

Frank and Francine were married on October 9, 1948, and spent the next approximately 40 years living in all corners of the world with the State Department; Hong Kong, Greece, Canada, Aruba, Haiti, and finally Washington DC. After retiring from the foreign service and teaching French to diplomats, the Haugheys settled in Browntown, VA at their beloved Sycamore Springs Farm where they hosted friends and family for decades. In fact, Francine regularly hosted a weekly Bridge tournament with her very dear friends around Warren County until her early 90s.

What is clear from Francine’s life is her love of living and experiencing all the world had to offer. From globetrotting with her young family to being an extremely involved grandparent, Francine made the most of what life threw at her. She loved learning languages including French, English, Flemish, Italian, and Greek. She also did quite well in German in school but didn’t like that one as much. Francine, much like her sister Suzanne, loved art and painting. She was a wonderful painter of oil and watercolors with her favorite muse being the countryside of Greece, inspired by seven years living there. She said that Greece was always her favorite place because she felt most comfortable there instantly. Also, like her brother Yvan, Francine loved fine food and wine, passing down many favorite recipes and culinary traditions collected through her travels but with a heavy Belgian influence, of course.

In her later years, Francine spent as much time on her farm as she possibly could: observing the wildlife, taking walks around the pond, teaching private French lessons, being with her family as much as life allowed, and always taking time to enjoy an ice cream or genuine Belgian beer. Frank and Francine had friendships they formed as young professionals that carried her through the remainder of her life. She loved to socialize and break bread with those dearest to her, from extravagant French cuisine to a good old American burger. Her sharp wit, unforgettable humor, and deep love for her family and friends were unmistakable. Francine’s fierce tenacity kept her going until the very end.

Francine is survived by her grandchildren, Michelle (Haughey) Bailey and husband Matthew, Nicole (Haughey) Marou and husband Christopher, and Heather (Cornwell) Bonnette and husband Jake “J.D.”; and three great-grandchildren, Enzo Bailey, Lucas Marou, and Maggie Bonnette who all held a special place in her heart. In addition to her husband and parents, Francine was preceded in death by her two children, Maureen (Haughey) Cornwell, and Dean Haughey; her grandson, James "Jamie" Cornwell, and five siblings.

The family would like to thank all of her caretakers at Brookdale of Staunton who should be commended for their tiring work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep Francine and the other residents safe and healthy, while also putting up with a bit of Belgian flair to boot.

Services will be held privately and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements entrusted to the Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. 540.886.2363