Frances D. Worden

Frances D. Worden
Bay City, Michigan
Our sadness is mixed with joy as we celebrate the life of our mom, grandma and great-grandma Frances D Worden.

"To fly away and be free as a bird," was a phrase we heard Mom utter for years. Mom passed from the physical restraints of her body and the thoughts that tortured her mind at the residence of her daughter and son-in-law, with whom she made her home, on Tuesday, November 10, and flew into the waiting arms of dad. Although not her chronological passing, mom actuality left this life behind the day dad (Samuel J.) died in May, 2013. Like the phrase in the 1996 film "Jerry Maguire" when Tom Cruise said, "You complete me" and Renee Zellweger responded with, "You had me at hello," mom and dad completed each other. For the four years they dated and the 62 years celebrating married life, they were inseparable. Mom told us over and over how comfortable and safe she felt with us, but in reality, her life would never be the same without dad.

A special and heartfelt thank you goes to Arlene Culberson who shared a 30-year friendship with mom. Arlene, your stories of how you and mom would meet at the fence nearly every day to talk, only to have dad walk out to the yard and put his arm around mom or hold her hand leaves us with great memories. We thank you, too, for welcoming mom into your home over the past six months to listen and provide comfort to her.

Instead of taking a step forward, each day mom took steps backward to the "happiest days" of her life. For months, mom repeated the same story to the dozens of doctors, nurses, family and neighbors who came to see her: "The first time I saw Sam, I got the shivers and I knew I had to make him mine."

Grandchildren Brad Bagley, Stacy Thornton, Amy Williams and great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Brendan and Christian Thornton, along with Drew Bagley and Hala Henman, will remember her playful side - jumping on a trampoline, jumping in the kid's pool fully clothed and riding a kid's bike down the driveway during one of our many family get-togethers. We can recall dad shaking his head and hear his voice saying, "Frances, Frances, Frances!"

As recently as July this year, grandma wanted to demonstrate how her "48-hour hold" hairspray worked while she ran through the sprinkler with Christian and the children next door. She did and IT did! Our family thanks our neighbor Megan Biskup for the friendship shown to mom and the time they spent together on each other's swings.

Mom attributed her long life and health to green tea and fish oil. "Forget the cosmetics and use Vitamin E cream," was her mantra.

Mom worked at Wolverine Knitting Mills for 22 years before retiring. Outspoken and feisty, Mom would often recount the stories about how everyone would line up behind her when she approached management to suggest ways to improve the working conditions for employees in the garment factory. Right to the end, she remained a fierce advocate for anyone hurting and in need.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Samuel J. Worden, on May 25, 2013; her father and mother, Edmund and Elizabeth (Snyder) Rosinski; and three brothers - Ed, George and Richard Rosinski.

To Sister Virginia Scally, SNDdeN, St. Catherine of Siena, thank you for your gentle counsel, encouragement and the prayers you offered for Mom and for our family.

There are no words to adequately convey our gratitude to McLaren HomeCare and McLaren Hospice. To Kelly, Lyn, Lucy, Diane, Jessie, Tiffany and Katrina, thank you.

Mom wasn't big on hand shakes. If she liked you, she wanted to hug -so to LPN Lisa, RN Ben and aide Aubrey who became her constant companions, please feel her gentle hug. You exemplify the words "kindness," "caring" and "compassion."

Thank you, too, to Dr. Nanette Myers. Though we didn't meet personally, we could hear your kind and gentle but confident instruction regarding mom's care.

Left to cherish a lifetime of memories are two daughters, Judy A. (Richard) Bagley and Barbara A. (Ben) VanParis.

God bless you, Mom. You will never be forgotten. May you finally rest in peace with Dad for all eternity. We hope heaven has a small pile of snow so that you can enjoy snow-shoveling again!

At mom's request, cremation has taken place and there is to be no visitation. A private family celebration of Mom and Dad's lives will take place over Thanksgiving.

Memorials can be made to McLaren Hospice or St. Catherine of Siena Church.