Beloved great-grandmother, teacher, therapist, musician

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and pillar of the Claremont community, Frances Lynnette Gilfry died on January 2 at the age of 94. “Frances was a friend to everyone she met,” her family shared.

Frances was born on July 27, 1930, in Lewiston, Idaho, the third of four children to Haseltine Lynn and Frances Oman Tuttle. Her brother John gave his three sisters nicknames which stuck with them throughout their lives. Frances was Tiner, Olive became Bansy, and Roxa was called Bebo. The sisters were especially close. They were only one year apart in school and sang in a trio together. When it was time for them to marry, each sister decided to get married on the same date, August 28, in three different years. Frances married the high school band teacher, Wayne Orswell Gilfry, on August 28, 1948. They had three children, Lynnette, Rodney, and William, and were married 43 years until Wayne’s death in 1991.

She attended the Eastern Oregon College of Education and later received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Redlands. In 1982 she earned a Master of Science degree in school counseling, and in 1984 another Master of Science degree in marriage and family therapy, both from University of La Verne.

She was a beloved teacher, first of elementary school, and later at the Danbury Special Education School, now Sumner Danbury, in Claremont, where she made a huge impact on hundreds of children with special needs. She was awarded teacher of the year by the Claremont Unified School District in 1993. After she retired from teaching she worked as a marriage and family counselor and grief counselor, and was particularly focused on helping children and families cope with the loss of a loved one.

Music was always a central part of her life. She performed as a soloist for special events, weddings, and funerals. She sang in the Claremont United Methodist Church Choir and at Mount San Antonio Gardens when she became a resident there. She also directed the children’s choir and Cherub Choir at CUMC, played in the handbell ensemble, sang solos, and more. Friends and family have fond memories of her singing around the house and performing around the piano in her living room. Her children and grandchildren inherited her love of music. Her son, Rod, became a world-renowned operatic baritone. Her son Bill is the music and band teacher at the Zurich International School in Switzerland. And her daughter Lynni has taught private students piano and voice lessons for decades. Her musical legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom are performers.

“Frances had an infectious positivity and refused to accept limitations,” her family added. “Even during the darkest times of her life, she was a beam of light. She hated being in a bad mood and approached problems with laughter and joy. Her unwavering optimism uplifted everyone around her, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her. Frances treated everyone she met with equal love, care, and respect. As the saying goes, ‘She never met a stranger.’ She was interested in everyone’s story, and everyone became a friend. Even after years apart, she would recall details about the lives of those she met.”

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply, including her daughter Lynni and husband Tim; son Rod and daughter-in-law Tina; son Bill and daughter-in-law Dany; grandchildren Carin, Kira, Erica, Marc, Alex, Jacob, Alice, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren Norah, Mahalia, Luke, and Alannah Frances.

“Frances developed a blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome late in life and received many blood and platelet transfusions,” her family said. “She faced the challenges of her illness with grace and resilience.”

“Donated blood is what allowed her family to have many good years with her that they otherwise wouldn’t have had,” her family said. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested making a blood donation as a wonderful remembrance. Donations to the Red Cross in her honor, at redcross.org/donate, are also encouraged.

In her last years, she shared some of her thoughts on life and death with family and friends. “In the end, all there is, is love. Love is the most important thing,” she said.

“Frances was an amazing woman who lived a full life full of joy,” her family added. “She was an inspiration to so many, and she will be greatly missed.”

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 15 at Claremont United Methodist Church, 211 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711.