Frances Masterson Anderson Obituary

Born in Cleveland Ohio, Fran's family soon moved to Rochester, and later to nearby Livonia and Hemlock NY. She attended Oberlin College (OH) where she met her future husband, Reed. They married in 1964, starting a 57-year-long life together. They moved to Madison WI where Reed received his PhD in Spanish language and literature. Their two children, Caitlin and Matthew were born in Madison, and in 1969 the family moved to Davis, CA where Fran became involved in early childhood education as a pre-school teacher and later, as an advocate for children's issues with the city of Davis. In 1981, the family moved to Oxford OH where Fran directed a pre-school and eventually began work with Cincinnati Comprehensive Child Care (now, 4C for Children). She was active as well in Action for Children (Ohio) which helped establish quality standards for childcare for the state. Her quiet competence soon led to consulting work in her field, and at Miami University as founder and director of the Honors Program's Urban Internship Program in Dayton and Cincinnati. In 2004, she and Reed retired to Ramah, New Mexico, where they built a round house on a mesa top and Fran became involved in the Ramah Historical Society and community activities with the El Morro Area Arts Council. She and Reed taught Tai Chi and Chi Gong in the area and delighted in the natural beauty of the land and the vitality of the community. She also took on responsible roles in building the Conscious Aging Network in New Mexico (CAN) and nationally. Recently Fran and Reed moved to Albuquerque to meet Fran's increasing health needs. Fran's love for life and people was evident in everything she did as a professional, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother, and spouse. She was gifted with a gentle charisma and abundant love that inspired the trust of children and drew adults to her in friendships that lasted through the years. After a 5-year struggle with an incurable fibrotic lung disease (IPF), she left us on April 28, 2022. She will be deeply missed and is survived by her husband, Reed, their daughter Caitlin, son Matthew, granddaughter Bridget, and four siblings. The world was blessed with her generous, compassionate spirit and all-encompassing love.

Should they wish, friends may contribute In Memoriam for Fran to: National Jewish Health, Denver (https://www.nationaljewish.org/giving/offices-contacts) where Fran received treatment; Chatter ABQ, a local 50-week Sunday concert series which Fran dearly loved

(https://www.ChatterABQ.org/support/); Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation/Hospice PO Box 26666 Albuquerque, NM 87125 (505) 724-6580 (please indicate Hospice, and In Memoriam: Fran Anderson); or donate to any Animal Rescue Organization of your choice.