On September 28, 2019 Frances (Fran) T. Casey (former Sister of the Holy Cross, Sister Rose de Lourdes), beloved aunt, teacher, headmistress/principle and friend, passed away at age 87.
A native of Alexandria, Fran was born on November 23, 1931 to Charles Ignatius and Adeline Mae (Fazenbaker) Casey. She received her formative education at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Alexandria. Fran was a graduate of Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross located in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Education. Her professional career spanned 42 years, from teaching a class of fifty first and second graders to teaching high school English. Her talents brought her to convert a summer camp facility to a year round boarding school for at risk boys, ages 12 through 18. Fran sowed her belief that “education is synonymous with encouragement” as she served as the headmistress of Flint Hill Preparatory School (K-12) for 12 years and the principal at Queen of Apostles Catholic School (K-8) for 3 years. During her years of service as an educator, she actively followed her interest in theater by becoming the regional director of the National Catholic Theater Conference, fostering high school drama for Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia students. She continued to show her interest in the arts by serving as the children’s choir director for Saint Matthew’s Cathedral, located in Washington, D.C. and Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, located Batavia, New York. After retirement, Fran volunteered to teach English for the Loudoun County GED program located in Loudoun County, Virginia along with tutoring. Fran became acquainted with Brain Gym®, took the Brain Gym® Core Course, served on the Board of Directors of Kinesthetic Learning, Inc. and served as a member of the Kinesthetic Leaning Executive Team.
Fran was admired, respected and loved by those who had the opportunity to interact with her. She brought standards, kindness, compassion, calmness, honesty and a good sense of humor to all situations. Fran could see the potential in every person and her focus was always for the best outcome for her students and the teachers.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Adeline Casey, brother Robert Montgomery, and sisters Elizabeth (Dee) Montgomery Johnson, Margaret Schwab and Catherine Casey. Fran is survived by 11 nieces and nephews, 21 grandnieces and grandnephews, Lynn Cox and other adoring friends.
The family will receive friends at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, October 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1417 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 1000 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Please feel free to donate to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
10/10/2019
2:00pm - 4:00pm
No other Teacher or School Administrator will ever replace Ms. Casey and the values that she taught us each day.
Dear Lynn,
So sorry to hear that Fran passed away. I am sure that she is whole again and my mom will find her in Heaven. I am praying that God’s grace surrounds you and carries you through the difficult days ahead.
Miss Casey was a very kind and inspirational principal & teacher. Our condolences & sympathies during this most difficult time. Our prayers for God to grant you peace and serenity in the days ahead.