Fran's Posts

I am at a loss for words. I wish I could unread what I just read. Fran has been such a wonderful part of this community over the years. My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers are going out to Fran's spirit and the Zilko family. Fran will be missed. Rest in peace Fran! Love, Adam

Fran was a woman of great strength, love, faith, and compassion. We are so sad for your loss, Pete, and your family's great loss. Fran was one of four of us who had our heart surgeries in the same time window back when the journals were brand new-late 2009 and early 2010. The four of us, along with Adam and others on the journals, were such an immense help and support system to one another through the challenges, ups and downs of each of our heart surgery and recovery journeys. The four of us have gotten together annually most years for a reunion in central Florida, though one is from Ontario, and one was from Maine, now Florida. We four are entering the window celebrating our 9th anniversary. Thank you, God, for Fran's life, love, and impact on so many! We were truly heart buddies!

Fran was a gracious, strong lovely lady that I had the honor to meet at Cleveland Clinic in 2010. We had the same surgeon and her room was a few doors down from mine. We had a special bond. Seeing her strength during recovery, gave me strength to make the dreaded walk around the ward. I would top off the stroll with a short visit at her room; aka rest stop. Our prayers are with Pete and all her family. Rest assured she is pain free and smiling down on everyone.

What a horribly disappointing and sad post this is Pete. Fran has been fighting this battle for so long I can see that her body just couldn't climb that hill any longer. What a courageous dear soul and very good friend she was to me and the other HVJ friends she met here. I, like Bill, Richard and Duane and our spouses got to meet her personally several times over the 9 years since my own surgery. Fran has been a huge source of information, support and inspiration to my recovery and ongoing health problems and I will miss her dearly. She always had such understanding and good advice to share. My heart breaks for you Pete and your precious family. Our own angel entered heaven last evening. God bless.