Fran Berry

Alexis Hogarth Fran in the beginning

Alexis Hogarth Fran in the more angelic days. (mid-60s)

Laura Valjak Fran at South Court Avenue, 1972

Hilary Hunt Netherlands 1972. We had just finished our A levels and flew KLM to Amsterdam. What a great camping holiday, we got into all sorts of scrapes. Seems I let Fran, Ros and Dilly clean the ground sheet whilst trying to be David Bailey!

Laura Valjak From Hilary: Netherlands 1972 no.2 "We had just finished our A levels and flew KLM to Amsterdam. What a great camping holiday, we got into all sorts of scrapes. Seems I let Fran, Ros and Dilly clean the ground sheet whilst trying to be David Bailey!"

Ken Taylor After leaving teaching in London, Fran travelled to Brunei in N W Borneo to visit us. It was the early 80’s, niece Laura was tiny, sister Ann pregnant with Alexis, and brother-in-law Ken working with Brunei Shell Petroleum. Fran loved the adventure and is seen here contemplating the rainforest in Sarawak from the hills in Brunei, and enjoying the beach on the South China Sea at Seria.

Laura Valjak I came across these photos in the garden of South Court Avenue :) Fun times with Auntie Fran. I think it must be about ‘84.

Laura Valjak Not a moment's peace; here's Fran trying - and failing - to eat her dinner, but interrupted by Laura and Alexis

Alexis Hogarth Fran adored her Dad, Tom. (circa mid-80s)

Laura Valjak From Vivienne Cannell: Our families spent many special occasions together over many, many years seeing the kiddies through to adults;.. and then came their kiddies. We had fun sessions. This is my favourite snap of Fran at Christmas Charades, Crystal Palace 1986. Fran will be so missed at future meet-ups but all those good memories of our times together will live on.

Alexis Hogarth Sisters - Mum (Ann) and Fran. ~90's They made each other laugh, cry and shout. They confided in each other and infuriated each other. I know that Fran missed having mum to turn to. I hope that they are having a long-needed catch-up.

Rachel Hiscock Whether it was playing tennis without a ball or racquets (under the influence in Crystal Palace), Christmas Day antics in 93 or just great company over the years we are left with special memories of happy times spent with Fran.

Alexis Hogarth Fran's 40th Birthday Party Fancy Dress Theme - Underground Stations Can you tell which stations they were? If only I'd been old enough to be allowed to go.

Alexis Hogarth Green-fingered. How did she always get gardens to look so nice? Thankfully, she did lend her gardening skills... alas I think that my garden was/is a losing battle.

Alexis Hogarth Fran always cared and looked out for others. This was when she took me away on holiday to Tunisia shortly after mum died, making sure that the summer would hold happy memories too. This summer was also the first time that I became aware of her love of (infatuation with) IKEA. She voluntarily took me to the Delft store so that I could kit out my newly decorated bedroom.

Ken Taylor Fran brought her mother Maureen to this 80th lunch with family at the White Hart, Salisbury in April 2003. Present are her nieces Laura and Alexis, Ken and Bea, and Ken’s sister Viv and late partner Derek. Fran’s own very special and thoughtful present had been to take Maureen on a trip to visit their Irish relatives. Maureen’s Irish roots are especially important to her. Fran’s great grandfather ran a restaurant burnt out in the 1916 uprising in Dublin, and her grandmother came to live in Liverpool where Fran eventually was born.

Alexis Hogarth Auntie Fran was a massive part of my life. She was there for birthdays and major holidays. She was mine and Laura's guardian whilst at boarding school; doing pick-ups, drops-offs and taking us out for regular weekend exeats that involved favourite foods, video rentals, gardening and caddying the occasional rounds of golf. Finally giving me lifts to university, it was only fitting that she came to my graduation at the end of it all. It always tickled me that she even made it into the official ceremonial photos. Can you spot her?

Laura Valjak "Great" Auntie Fran, with Leopold here in about 2014.. there was never a visit without a jelly to mix with the boys and put in the fridge, and always faaar too many bags of sweets!

Laura Valjak Fran with her mum, Maureen

Alexis Hogarth Just a lovely picture of Fran watching whilst I got ready on my wedding day. I can't really show you the picture of her at the end of the night... albeit to say that a tipple, a fag and the naughty Fran attitude was present in it.

Hilary Hunt One of my favourite more recent pictures with Fran on our balcony in Spain. With the necessary glass of wine in our hands!

Hilary Hunt On holiday in Spain with Fran, Tim and my Mum. Fran as always kindhearted flew out with my Mum, we had a lovely week on holiday then all flew home together.

Hilary Hunt I finally managed to get this photo to appear not sideways on. I fancy Fran would have been amused by this as technology sometimes overcame her as well. Anyway Fran and I on the 5th tee at Valle del Este, Vera, Spain. Fran was so patient with me, always encouraging, even when she had to repeat herself for the third time! Sport is not my forte but I enjoyed it thanks to Fran.

Lin Bennett Lovely Fran in her new Spanish outfit ready for a family wedding.Such fun with her Hilary and the girls, shopping,lunching and laughing ! Also a great round of golf and a a hilarious bbq at ours. So glad that we had the joy and privilege to know Fran. Her memory will live on with so many of us.

Erica Howard December 2015, our first attempt at Christmas wreath making. Fran insisted on Bucks Fizz to aid creativity!

Hilary Hunt Fran helping clear the hedges around the barn ready for Simon’s and Michelle’s wedding in 2016. We spent hours cutting and trimming. The end result was amazing.

Hilary Hunt More craft making Fran in charge of the sewing machine, I expect I had stretched her patience by this time having produced 400 metres of bunting between us. Oh what fun we had.

Alexis Hogarth It was a joy to bring Orson (Great-Nephew no.3) to meet Fran and Grandma (aka. GG Maureen) for the first time. Fran loved the fact that we could get a 4 generation picture of the Berry line. Auntie Fran took the naming upgrade to 'Great' Auntie Fran with the decorum that you'd expect... 'Bloody too right, I'm a Great Aunt!'

Alexis Hogarth Always one to enjoy a sqidge with one of her great-nephews.

Hilary Hunt Vera Playa October 2016. Fran, Libs and Linda. Green School girls together since 1965. I was behind the camera. Great times but Libs will tell you that red wine spilt on white shorts was not a good look! Happy Days x

Laura Valjak Oskar loved his overnight birthday treat away with "Great" Auntie Fran, for a proper grown up hang out and to enjoy his favourite meal - Fran insisted she make that happen, of course totally indulging him with a three course meal at Cote Brasserie, calamari starter followed by steak and chips, and pud!.. parents strictly not invited

Simon Hunt Here’s a photo of Fran meeting Emily for the first time. She’s looking suitably dubious ☺️. We will all miss her so much. She was a wonderful hybrid of auntie and conspiratorial friend. I still owe her a round of golf and a day at the cricket. Rest well me old mate. Sending love to all. Si, Michelle, Emily and Matilda xxx

Anne Gowing Retiring back to Dorchester and renewing old friendships

Laura Valjak From Stuart Sibley: here's Fran as 'Ladies Club Captain' for Came Down Oct '18 - Oct '19; the official photo was taken and hung in the clubhouse.

Erica Howard Christmas wreath making 2018, marking the start of the festive season

Laura Valjak From Stuart Sibley: together at the Captain’s Dinner at Came Down last year (for Fran’s year as Ladies Captain)

Laura Valjak From Stuart Sibley: Here’s me and Fran together with Peter Berry (no relation!) in November at a Remembrance service in Weymouth.

Laura Valjak Fran was brilliant at sewing; I've lost count of the curtains and bits around the house that she has looked at in despair and immediately demanded to be shown the sewing machine, so that she could hem or fix whatever stray piece of fabric I had left for months looking shabby and unloved! This photo was taken only a week ago; it's (15yr old) Oskar sleeping in the beautiful duvet cover that Fran made him when he was 6. Football themed, and each part of it painstakingly hand stitched.

Sarah Armstrong Fran’s last trip to Hong Kong. We went to see the big Buddha but he was lost in the mist!

Libs Legg A lovely holiday in Spain with Hilary, Linda and Fran. Friends since we were 11, and still good friends today. Lots of fun and laughs along the way. How lucky we were! Fran we will miss you so much.

Rachel Hiscock And we mustn’t forget dressing up for New Year’s Eve in The Piddle.

Libs Legg Good friends together. Hil’s, Linda and Fran. X

Annie Easton Some more happy memories of New Year’s Eve fancy dress parties in the Piddle Inn! For some years Fran was also a regular Wednesday afternoon golfer with Gavin and the boys. I played badminton with her for about 20 years and the occasional round of golf, but she was much better than me! You’ll be missed Fran. Love Annie and Gavin

Laura Valjak From Stuart Sibley: a group of us at Came Down golf club

Laura Valjak From Stuart Sibley: "A selfie taken quickly just before I took my shot out of the trees... Playing mixed doubles for golf, it was Fran who kindly hit the ball there in the first place!"

Laura Valjak From Stuart: Lady captain on the first tee!

Patricia Russell I met Fran at cheese and wine party when she first joined Came. We had more wine than cheese! Funny, caring and most of all loved her family and friends. Photo is 2019 Ladies’ Captain Day on the 1st tea with Gill Wilkinson.

sheila vogwell The winning team. Fran with her team, Rosalie, Sheila and Maggie on her Lady's Captain Day at Sturminster Marshall 2019. We have fond memories of Fran, her fun, stories and laughter on the golf course when playing golf .

Laura Valjak It’s sad that during the current restrictions it’s not possible for us all to be together for Fran’s funeral service. The service will be held at 3:15pm on Tuesday 9 June. A small group will attend and we’ll be thinking of everyone who would have wanted to be there too. If you’d like to, perhaps we can each remember Fran at the same time on Tuesday by lighting a candle wherever we are at 3:15. After the service, I’ll share the memories and words spoken by the celebrant Xx

Sarah Armstrong Fran loved her Aldi candles. I lit this one in her memory at 3:15 today.

Laura Valjak On Tuesday, there was a small service for Fran at Weymouth Crematorium. While many who wanted to could not be there, the eulogy spoken on Fran’s life is attached with the photos above.

Erica Howard Evidence of Fran's prowess with the PIGS

Ann Talbot I first met Fran when we were playing golf together when I joined Came Down Golf Club. She was so welcoming and fun to play with. Since then, we became friends, not only playing golf together, but she was my Vice Captain when I was Ladies’ Captain in 2018. We had such a great time choosing prizes together, setting up the competitions and presentations, she was such a great support throughout the year. Outside of golf, we played MahJong when we could and we had laughs one Christmas when she stayed with us and drank champagne in the hot tub on Christmas morning!' SALLY Fran was a joy to be with and we had some lovely games of golf together. Throughout her illness she remained positive and very brave. Occasionally Fran joined our group for MahJong, with Rita, Wendy and Sally. We are all going to miss her and are very sad that we will no longer be able to share those special moments with her. ANN

Roseline Chandler It was a terrible shock to hear of Fran’s death. We were not in regular contact but still managed to stay in touch after 40 years . Fran and I worked as AWOs in Lambeth , we had both been PE teachers so had something in common. She was a good friend and had a great sense of humour , reliable and kind. We had fun together. She came with me when one of my schools went on a skiing holiday . There were some scary moments as the slopes were very icy. When I had a bad car accident and couldn’t drive she picked me up and took me to work. That was Fran. We meet up several years ago when Alan and I visited Dorset and chatted over past times. Strangely several weeks ago we were watching some old cricket matches we thought of Fran and remembered her love of cricket.I am sure she will be greatly missed . God bless you Fran xx