Frances Ann "Fran" Gooszen

FRAN GOOSZEN Saltillo - Frances Ann "Fran" Gooszen, 84, died Saturday morning, May 5, 2013, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Fran was born September 25, 1928, in Watertown, Massachusetts to Charles Stanley and Mary Grey Power. She was raised in Watertown and also spent a great portion of her childhood at her family's summer home in Nahant, Mass relaxing with friends and family on the "Forty-Step Beach" in Nahant. In 1950, she graduated from St. Elizabeth's Nursing School in Boston and then served as a registered nurse for ten years. She married Henry C. Gooszen July 26, 1958 and later retired from nursing to take care of her growing young family. She with her family moved to the Tupelo area in 1974 where she resided the remainder of her life. She was an active member of the Friends of the Lee County Library where she spent many volunteer hours working in the library gift shop. Fran was most notably remembered as a health and fitness enthusiast belonging to the Wellness Center for many years and having successfully completed seven marathon races. She and her husband loved hiking and together spent many hours hiking many trails throughout the land. Most memorable to them was the trail at Akamina Lake in Waterton National Park in Alberta, Canada where they often visited twice a year. An active and faithful member of St. James Catholic Church, she was a member of the St. James Ladies Club, serving as club president on more than one occasion. During her early years with St. James, she helped care for the church grounds and facilities and maintained a heart for visiting shut-ins and nursing home residents throughout her life. She had also taught "Jazzercise" classes at the church. A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. James Catholic Church with Father Henry Shelton and Father Lincoln Dall officiating. Burial will be at Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Henry C. Gooszen of Saltillo; two daughters, Kathy Weatherford (Greg) of Tupelo, Marybeth Kelly of Shannon; two sons, Christian Gooszen of Ft. Worth, Texas, Michael Gooszen (Laura) of Shreveport, Louisiana; eight grandchildren, Bradley Weatherford and his Fiancée, Samantha Abel, both of Memphis, Tenn., Jason Weatherford (Corrie) of Montgomery, Ala., Alexander and, Brianna Weatherford both of Tupelo; Barry Kelly (Connie) of Mooreville, Brandon Kelly of Mooreville, John Michael and Patrick Gooszen both of Shreveport; three great-grandchildren, Grace Weatherford, Aiden and Levi Kelly; and two step-great grandchildren, Zach and Katie Langley. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Ann Marie Gooszen who died January 1, 1989. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be 9 until 11 a.m. Monday at the Church. Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, P. O. Box 734, Tupelo, MS 38802.