Frances Gillen
Frances C. Gillen, age 76, of Wabasha, MN, and formerly of Saint Paul, MN, died February 5, 2015, after a short but brave battle with cancer. Fran is survived by her loving husband, Jim, Wabasha, MN; daughter, Mary (Scott) Gillen Fenske, Shoreview, MN and her beloved grandchildren, Michael and Katherine Fenske; brother, Lawrence (Antoinette) Cheslik, St. Louis Park, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Anna Cheslik, and her brother and sister-in-law, Vincent and Marlene Cheslik.
Fran was a tremendously caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, who provided a quick wit, strength, wisdom, and unbounded love to all those around her. Her death leaves a void that can never be filled.
Fran was born March 19, 1938, in Wabasha, MN. In 1956, she graduated from St. Felix High School in Wabasha and went on to begin her higher education at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN, where she graduated with a degree in elementary education. She married James Gillen, of Lake City, MN, on August 13, 1960 at St. Felix Catholic Church after their courtship by boat between Lake City and Wabasha on the Mississippi River. Fran went on to teach in Plainview, MN, Aurora, IL, and White Bear Lake, MN, prior to joining the St. Paul School District in 1965. In 1966, she had her daughter, Mary, who brought her great joy throughout her life.
In 1972, Fran obtained her Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Winona State University and her Ed. D. in Counseling, Guidance, and Personnel Services from the University of South Dakota in 1976. In 1982, she obtained her license in clinical psychology.
Fran had an illustrious 28 year career with the St. Paul School system. She began as a kindergarten, first grade, and Head Start teacher, before moving into secondary education as a guidance counselor. She counseled thousands of students during her time at Harding High School, Ramsey Junior High, and Battle Creek Junior High. Fran was a natural innovator who was responsible for initiating the St. Paul School System’s DARE program, its non-public counseling program, and its elementary counseling program.
In 1996, she retired with her husband, Jim, to her hometown of Wabasha, which served as their home base between travels to Europe, New Zealand, and all around the United States. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Budapest, Hungary, on a Danube River cruise. Jim and Fran spent their winters in Scottsdale and Mesa, AZ, much to the delight of their grandchildren and daughter, who visited them every spring break. Fran loved spending those visits playing Chickenfoot, telling stories, and showing her grandkids how to make lemonade from the lemon tree in the backyard.
In Wabasha, she and Jim enjoyed hosting the Cheslik family reunion every 4th of July weekend, where she relished in laughing with her brothers and their families and playing 500. Fran was blessed with numerous friends and her “coffee group” who provided her with support during her struggle with cancer.
The family would like to thank Dr. Svetomir Markovic and his melanoma team at the Mayo Clinic for their commitment and dedication to Fran’s case and to the nurses at Rochester Methodist Hospital’s Oncology Unit for their exceptional care during Fran’s final days.
A funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha. Family and friends may call at the Abbott Funeral Home, 236 2nd St. W., Wabasha, MN 55981, from 4-8pm on Friday, February 13, and they may call at the church one hour before the Mass on Saturday. Following the service a luncheon will be held at St. Felix Auditorium. Interment will be at St. Felix Cemetery at a later date. Please direct correspondence and condolences to the family of Frances C. Gillen c/o Abbott Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcomed at www.abbottfh.com
