Mary Frances (Fran) Bisallion Hockenyos

December 12, 1940 - October 17, 2003

Fran had suffered from all of the classic symptoms of Ovarian Cancer (abdominal pains, bloatjng, etc.) and had been told by three doctors that her problems were digestive, or psychological.  Finally, on April 28, 2001, we went to the emergency room and she was diagnosed with stage four Ovarian Cancer.  She went through two surgeries and chemo over the next few months and "thrived" for about a year and a half.  Then the tumors reappeared and she died (within about 9 months) on October 17, 2003.

During this time, Fran was given the opportunity to touch so many lives in a positive way that we were all blessed by her presence.  When she first heard about Melanie and the walk, she immediately got involved and was instrumental in raising several thousand dollars and recruiting many walkers.  But, her greatest gift was her wonderful outlook and the love she so freely shared with others.

The core of Fran's life was our son, Steve, of whom she was very proud.  She also loved her five stepchildren and their families.  We shared a wnnderful marriage of 26 years, and six months before she died we were able to renew our vows in the Catholic Church with our family and friends present.

In spite of the suffering and her eventual loss, the two and a half years she lived with cancer were the best years of our lives.  Our love was never stronger and we treasured every moment together.  She made every effort to reach out to family, friends, and even strangers to share her love, and her total peace with mortality.  Everyone will remember her for her faith and her positive outlook in the face of death.  She is now safe in God's hands.  I loved her tremendously and miss her every day.

Mark Hockenyos