Frances E. Bolson of Utica, NY, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Below, the family shares some of what made her life meaningful.
Frances spent her working life as ['secretary for the Utica Department of Health'] and held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
What is held in faith is rarely lost.
Frances (Fran) Elizabeth Bolson, 97, of Utica, New York, passed away on April 30, 2026, in
Ocala, Florida.
She was born February 8, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Frank Howard Bennett and Elizabeth
Clyde Walker Bennett.
Fran was valedictorian of Proctor High School, Class of 1946. She attended Keuka College
and Onondaga Community College and graduated from the Excelsior School of Business.
She worked as a secretary for the Utica Department of Health, Will and Baumer Candle
Company, and the Baldwinsville United Methodist Church. She was also an ordained elder
and member of Countryside Presbyterian Church of Ocala Fl. Above all, she was a
devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker.
Fran married Philip Layton Bolson on July 19, 1947, and they shared nearly 58 years of
marriage. Phil passed away on May 7, 2005. Fran is survived by her three children (twins)
Diane E. Thomas and Dororthy E. Henry, and her son David E. Johnson as well as four
grandchildren (Britta Nissinen, Zachary Johnson, Zoe Britten, and Alexandra Pacelle), two
great-grandchildren (Charli and Jax Britten), and her niece, Alberta Waddell.
Fran and Phil retired in 1990 and moved to Saddle Oak Club, a retirement community in
Ocala, Florida. Together they taught square dancing for 45 years, and Fran remained an
active square dancer for a total of 67 years. She also served her community in many ways,
including on the HOA Board of Directors, Editor of the Saddle Oak Club newsletter and as
the Sunshine Chairperson. She loved to sing and sang in church choirs for 80 years.
Additionally, she participated in drama clubs, water aerobics, bowling, quilting and many
other activities.
One of Fran's great joys was running. She began at age 69 and completed her first
marathon at 71. She continued running 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons throughout her 70s.
Fran's favorite poem, given to her by her grandmother, was "To Succeed" by Ralph Waldo
Emerson. She especially loved the final line: "To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived - this is to have succeeded." In every sense, our mom truly
succeeded.
A celebration of life will be held at Saddle Oak Club on a date to be determined. Fran will be
cremated, and her ashes will be entombed with her late husband at Bushnell National
Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Roberts of Ocala Funerals and Cremations is handling the arrangements.
