The Passing of a Friend

We are sad to report FoCP has lost one of our founding members. Fran Byers, who helped organize the Friends in 1976, and was a dedicated member since, passed away February 27th. She was 83.

Fran lived her entire life in our community, one block away from the park, and was an active member in many neighborhood groups, but her dedication to Clark Park knew no bounds. She headed many of our activities, Bark in the Park, the Veterans Day celebration and Christmas caroling among them.

Fran had served as President many times and was still active at the time of her death. A threat to remove the internationally famous Dickens statue from removal triggered the original drive by Fran and fellow activists to create Friends of Clark Park; decades later, she still proudly served the cake at Dickens Birthday Party.

Newer board members will remember her for her unmatched energy and dedication to the traditions of the park, no matter her personal circumstances. We have all benefited greatly from Fran’s love for our park, and we dedicated a bench in her name at the Gettysburg Stone several years ago to show our appreciation. We will miss her – and tend the park with love in her honor.

The funeral is at St. Francis DeSales Church on March 7, 6:30pm. Burial is next day, 1pm, at Holy Cross Cemetery 626 Baily Road, Yeadon