Obituary of Fran Guzie

Fran Guzie, 87, passed away on January 21st, 2013 surrounded by music and the love of her family, and looking forward to reuniting with her beloved husband of 61 years, Paul. Fran was born in Brownton, Minn to Franklin and Dorothy Peters, second of five children. From a very young age, Fran exhibited a drive to help others. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s degree in Social Work. During her work with the Northeast Neighborhood House in Minneapolis, she met Paul. Together they worked to support the families and young adults in the area with positive recreational activities and worked to build Camp Bovey (Hodag) for outdoor adventures. As the family moved from the Twin Cities to Boise, and later the Portland area, Fran built a strong career teaching and advocating for social services. She was a professor of Social Work at University of Minnesota, and later at Boise State (College), where she was among the founding faculty in the degree program for Social Work Studies. In Oregon, Fran held leadership positions at Waverly Children’s Home, the Louise Home, Albertina Kerr, and the Oregon State Children’s Services Division. Active retirement included a deepened faith journey and significant volunteer efforts supported by her favorite chauffeur, Paul. Fran volunteered for the Governor’s Citizen’s Review Board, the Woodburn Foot Clinic, and became the librarian for her retirement center. She traveled with Friendship Force International, and hosted visitors from around the world. Cooking, learning, and doting on her granddaughters were among her favorite pastimes. Fran was preceded in death by her husband Paul, brother Jay and sister Genie. She is survived by her sister Diane Breckenridge (Warren), brother Carlton (Margaret), brother-in-law Vernon Dressel, sister-in-law Edie Peters, children Kaye Everett, Andy, Jon (Kathy), Peter (Debbie), and Philip (Lynn); granddaughters Natasha, Elizabeth and Samantha Guzie; step-grandchildren Ryan Schneider, Suzanne Underwood (Jacob), and step-great-granddaughter Kaitlin Underwood, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Service at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 28th at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, Milwaukie. Service Information