Frances Christensen, 95, Professional Dancer & Animal Lover

She was born in New York City on November 16, 1916 and attended school there.

She was a professional dancer as a young adult. She married Peter Christensen in 1942. In 1957, she and her husband and four children moved to Lorain where she has resided ever since.

In 1962 she graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Practical Nursing and fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. She was an office nurse for Dr. Wiseman in Amherst and for Dr. Yuzon in Lorain and worked until the age of 82.
She loved classical music, played the piano as a child, and became an organist as an adult. She studied with several organ teachers, including lessons at the Oberlin Conservatory in both performance and music theory. At age 66, she gave an organ recital for family and friends. For many years she had season's tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra, Opera and Ballet, to the Oberlin Orchestra, and to the Wooster Light Opera. She also loved musical theater.

She traveled to Europe four times, visiting relatives and friends in Denmark and touring concert halls and opera houses in Germany, Hungary and Austria.

Frances enjoyed reading and knitting, and for many years knit infant hats for the neonatal unit at Huron Hospital in Cleveland.

She loved dogs, especially her Cocker Spaniel Torrie, who was her constant companion for 13 years.

At the age of 88, she wrote her memoirs which are treasured by her family.
She was able to remain independent until age 93, when she moved to Anchor Lodge Assisted Living, but even then she was happiest when she was able to assist other residents. She believed in the importance of exercise and continued to remain active there, including leading some of the exercise classes for other residents.

She is survived by four children, Carol Christensen of Allegan, MI, Elaine (Maurice) Novak of Lorain, Paul (Lori) Christensen of Bath OH, and Kenneth (Donna) Christensen of Branson MO, as well as four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Peter, her sister Clarice Price, and her parents Elizabeth and Josef Wolf.

Because Frances loved animals so much, the family request memorial contributions to the Friendship Animal Protective League, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, 44035 or Secondhand Mutts (www.secondhandmutts.org ).

Friends will be received at the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain OH on Friday, September 14, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. There will be a private graveside service for the family.

Online condolences at www.boyer-cool.com