Frances L. “Fran” LaFayette died Aug. 23, 2011, at Careage of Whidbey, Coupeville, at the age of 93, following a long battle with dementia. She was born March 13, 1918 in Los Angeles to A.E and Connie Welch. She was raised in the Pasadena area.
During World War II, she found work in a child care center which began her lifelong love of working with young children. Fran was an avid swimmer and it was at a pool where she met Harry LaFayette, where he worked as a life guard.
Fran was married to Harry LaFayette in San Diego in 1948. Thus began her life as a military wife as she accompanied Harry through his Navy career of 22 years. They lived in San Diego, National City, L.A., Mesa and Hawaii, before transferring to Oak Harbor in 1960. Fran decided to continue her work with young children and for 10 years she served as a teacher at The Helen Swass Preschool in Oak Harbor. Fran was a homemaker, lovingly caring of her own home and family.
Fran was a painter and artist, working primarily with oils. She also had a great talent for knitting and crocheting and was proud of the fact that she made afghans for each of her 13 grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Good Sam Camping Club, the Whidbey Whirlers Square Dance Club and the Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450.
Following Harry’s retirement, Fran and he traveled the U.S. and Canada in their 5th wheel trailer. As they traveled, Fran began collecting stuffed animals of all kinds from many of the locations they visited. For the past two years Fran has been a resident of Susan Bartlett Adult Family Home in Oak Harbor.
Fran is survived by her loving husband Harry, who visited her every day for the past two years; by five children, Beverley Bighouse of Oak Harbor, Robert and Dianne Brown of Union, Wash., Ronald and Pam LaFayette and Mark and Kari LaFayette, both of Seattle, and Marcella LaFayette and spouse Mykall Walker of Portland, Ore.; by 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Two sisters and her parents preceded her in death.
An open house in honor of Fran will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 450 W. Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation.
