Frances A. Fritch

Date of Death: January 13, 2010

Frances A. Fritch, 78, died at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at her Lafayette residence.
Born Feb. 9, 1931, in Dubois, her parents were the late William and Mary Bertha Fischer Seng. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in speech therapy.
On Aug. 20, 1960, she married John M. Fritch, M.D. in Jasper, and he survives.
After graduating from Marquette, she initiated and directed the speech therapy program in the Belleville, Ill., school systems. She later taught at the Indiana School for the Deaf.
Mrs. Fritch regularly attended mass at St. Ann and St. Boniface Catholic churches in Lafayette. She loved her Catholic faith and her family. She was an adventurous traveler, and in her youth even enjoyed flying lessons. She was also an avid reader.
Surviving along with her husband are three daughters, Mara Fritch Torok (husband: Peter, M.D.) of Johnson City, Tenn., Ann Fritch McCormick (husband: Marty) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Beth Fritch Weisgerber (husband: Jeffrey) of Carmel; and two sons, John W. Fritch (wife: Shannon) of Attica and Michael J. Fritch (wife: Lisa) of Monrovia.
Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, whom she cherished.
Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Fr. James Sauer will be officiating. Interment at Fairview Cemetery in Jasper. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) at 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210 or Matthew 25 Care and Share Soup Kitchen at 612 Wabash Ave., Lafayette, IN 47905.

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Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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Dear Dr. Fritch,

My family, Wilbur Yana (my brother), your patient and I are so sorry for your loss. It&s not easy to have so many life changes in such a short time. We miss you and will always have a high regard for all the good care over the years (since approx. 1966).

Sincerely, Addie Marie Dimmick

John and Shannon,

I was saddened to read about your loss. It&s hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were a special part of a well-lived life.

Sincerely,
Melissa

Dr. Fritch and Family:

We would like to express sincerest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your lovely wife and mother. Though we never had the privilege of meeting her
in person, she was the conversation at a few of our office visits. By those brief conversations, we knew she was a great person. We know she will be greatly miss by everyone, but we also know you will have many loving memories. Our thoughts and
any prayers are with you and yours. Bless you all.

The Dolands

Dear Dr. Fritch

I was saddened to hear of the death of your wife
I have known you for many years but not your wife.
Please accept my sympathies in this time of sorrow.
Arlan

Both Becky and I are very sorry to hear of Frances death. I work with John in the Purdue Libraries and I pray your family will feel God&s comfort and peace at this time.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. I have fond memories of playing at the Fritch&s house or at the lake and Mrs. Fritch always making me feel welcome. Those were great times!! Hope everyone is doing well.

God bless,

Jennie (Thieme) LaReau

Ann McCormick and Family,
We are so sorry about your loss. Eventhough I did not get the opportunity to meet your mother, I can see through you , Ann, what a caring, nurturing and spiritual lady she must have been. We are all praying for you, but Kaycie especially sends you a hug.

Love,
The Badylaks
Chris, Julie, Clay, Kaycie and Carly

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Fred and Nancy Butz

Ann, although it has been a very long time since seeing your mother, I certainly have never forgot what a dynamic aura she possessed. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Richard Du Charme.

Dear John and family,

It is heartbreaking to lose someone so close and such a wonderful person, from all descriptions. In your sorrow, I hope the warm and pleasant memories of her are a comfort to all of you. Most of all, I hope you experience the inward comfort God gives.

With deepest sympathy,

Larry Mykytiuk

My Dearest Neighbors Dr. John, Mara, John, Ann, Beth, and Michael,

The news carried today brought both a sadness to my heart for your loss, or if you will permit, OUR loss... all of us who were blessed by this special lady. However, I must tell you it also brought a smile to my face and a warm feeling to my spirit with the rush of memories brought about by the effortless smiles and endless kind gestures Fran gifted to me... to all us.

I will be forever grateful to her for the permanent imprint I have of the &Kind and Welcoming Neighbor.& My most exemplary memory, one that I have repeated to hundreds, took place on day #1 for the Webber family in Lafayette. Literally while the moving truck was unloading, this warm, smiling woman came walking through the break in the hedge between your house and ours, and in one hand was a pitcher of lemonade (the green one with the plunger in the center) and in the other, a big plate of chocolate chip cookies... (Although the debate continues as to whether it was a plate of brownies instead, this is my story... ;-)

OH what a DELIGHT!! But not just the snacks... Along with the refreshments; "Hi. I&m Fran Fritch, I live next door and along with my husband John and our children Mara, John, Ann, Beth, and Michael, we want to welcome you to the neighborhood! After you get settled, I hope you will come over so we can get to know you better. In the meantime, if there is anything we can do for you, don&t be afraid to ask." So utterly kind. So totally sincere. So absolutely from the heart.

This is the Fran I came to know, to respect, to appreciate, and to love. I have told countless people that this very scene was the basis for one of Norman Rockwell&s paintings, entitled, "The Neighbor", that he never quite got around to painting...

I thank God for the blessing of knowing your wife - your mother - and for the gift of neighborly love and so many memories of kindness that travel in my spirit up to this very day.

A candle is burning brightly in her name and you are all in my prayers.

Peace, Love, & Light...

Scott Webber
Bethesda, Maryland

My deepest sympathies to your family. She was a wonderful lady. I will always remember her with a big smile at the kitchen table when I came home with Beth for track meets. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Cris

Dr. Fritch,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Tom & Bethel Kindell
Brook, IN 47922

My deepest sympathies to the family. I know she will be missed, but to be in God&s presence is a comforting thought.

Regards,
Jim Carroll (Purdue friend of John)

As a former patient of Dr. Fritch I only saw him with is wife Francis a couple of times. It was very evident that they cared deeply for each other. May your many years of memories help you through these difficult times.
Sincerely
Sue Swick

To Mara and family -- my sincere condolences for your loss. May you take comfort in knowing that she rests in the arms of her Savior.

-- Paula Titus

John and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Fran. She was a good friend when our families were growing up. Your family will be in our prayers.

Eileen and Jim Bayley

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.