Fran McKeown – gone, but not forgotten
The news of Fran McKeown’s sudden death on Christmas Day came as a huge shock, writes HOT’s Zelly Restorick. Paddling in the sea on Christmas morning, she was caught off guard by a wave, sweeping her further out to sea, where she collided with a groyne. Attempts were made to resuscitate her, but she died later that evening from her injuries.
Fran was such a filled-with-life, vibrant person, it’s incredibly hard to imagine that she’s no longer around on the planet. I got to know her via Ann Bloomfield and Anthony Bradnum’s Inside Out street theatre and comedy courses, where we were both enthusiastic students and participants. My enduring memory of Fran is of her crying with laughter at some of the push-yourself-beyond-your-comfort-zone activities we were encouraged to participate in. She’d have to stop what she was doing for laughing so much.
I know Fran was also someone who worked extraordinarily hard in her Hastings Voluntary Action role of involving the community in various projects. She spoke to me a couple of times about her job and I sensed her passion and commitment to the town and to the town’s inhabitants.
She’d sometimes turn up to our dramatic gatherings feeling post-work exhausted. She’d quickly revive however, becoming a central figure in the group; playful, brazen, innovative, mischievous, a natural comedian, filled with ideas and nearly always laughing.
The last time I saw her, she spoke enthusiastically about a community learning forum project she was working on and was excited about the holiday she’d booked to Kenya, where in different circumstances she’d be now.
I find it hard to take in news of this nature… I’m sure I’m not alone in this. It’s as if you can’t accept as real that you’ll never see that person again. It takes a while to sink in.
We can never know when death will come, all we know is that at some point, our own – and everyone’s – time will arrive, when a final breath will be taken and our earthly presence will come to an end. I didn’t hear the news of Fran’s death til a few days after she’d gone. I found myself immediately talking to her through the ether, conveying my sorrow that I wouldn’t see her anymore and how much I’d enjoyed knowing her, hoping that at some level, she’d connect with the message.
Then a couple of days ago, I noticed a woman striding down the middle of Stockleigh Road in St Leonards, wearing the sort of signature outfit that Fran would wear. I found myself stopping and staring, noticing that the woman was holding up the hood of her bright yellow jacket, as if to hide her face. I know it sounds weird, but I immediately thought it was somehow the essence of Fran, laughing and saying ‘hello’, as this is just the sort of thing she would do. Just as when she came to the first Inside Out session, wearing a wig and pretending to be someone else – and when she donned the same wig to perform in Buggy Me this summer, playfully concealing her identity and allowing the theatrical side of her to live with much oomph and pazzazz.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew Fran – and to Fran herself, as who knows what she experienced in her last minutes. My heart especially goes out to those who were with her, as they must be feeling a roller coaster of feelings and emotions. One minute your friend is with you – and then she is gone. I guess this makes us all aware of how this could happen at any time to any of us.
You’ll be much missed, Fran, although I imagine that wherever you are, you’ll have those around you laughing til the tears fall. You may be gone, but you’ll not be forgotten.
Thanks to Erica for sourcing the marvellous photo of Fran, courtesy of Maria Wheeler. It made me smile – muchly… hope the same goes for you too. I imagine Fran would appreciate that.
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23 Comments
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Dear Finley,
Thank you for your heart-touching message. I was talking to Ann at Active Arts only yesterday about your Mum [your Mum and I met at the Active Arts’ drama workshops] – about the Clean Seas Project that your Mum had mentioned to us for a potential drama project and we’d all enthusiastically agreed was a great idea. [Active Arts haven’t forgotten your Mum’s suggestion – and are hoping to get some funding this year in a Clean Seas Project involving children.] And I have photos of your Mum on my wall from when we acted at the Stade with our prams – and I say ‘Hello Fran’ every so often, as your Mum had such a great energy and loved this local community and the people here. I imagine that lots of people – here and around the world – miss your Mum, but I can imagine it must especially be very hard for you. Your Mum still lives on in my heart – and I am sure she does in yours too. With love from Zelly
Comment by Zelly Restorick — Sunday, Mar 30, 2014 @ 08:18
Happy Mothers day mum… I miss you
Comment by Finley North-Mckeown — Sunday, Mar 30, 2014 @ 02:32
Fran was a good friend and colleague at HVA and I was looking forward to getting to know her better in a social sense now that I have stopped work. I’ll have to make sure I take up some suitably whacky activities in tribute to her.
Comment by Rose Austen — Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 @ 12:52
Frances and I ‘studied’ drama at Poole College and then spent many surreal moments together in London. She was funny and loud and lacked inhibition or prejudice. She was magnificent at making a fool of herself but could also be a loving friend. In her company, I always felt life was there for the living. My thoughts go to her family.
Comment by Kerry — Monday, Jan 7, 2013 @ 16:44
Fran was an amazing person and could put you at ease with just a smile. I only met her twice but each time went away knowing more. After reading all the above I’m sad but know that she was loved and will be missed by us all.
Farewell good friend.
Comment by Cllr Nigel Sinden. — Friday, Jan 4, 2013 @ 16:52
Have just heard the sad news about lovely Fran. I didn’t know her well but met her several times through her work at HVA. Fran had spark, energy, passion and enthusiasm for everything she did – I must admit I was in awe of her.
Amazing woman Fran – there is not a doubt that you will be missed by so many, you touched the hearts and humour of those who were lucky enough to meet you.
Comment by Jackie Blackwell — Friday, Jan 4, 2013 @ 08:29
I’ve attached a version of The D Folk on my Facebook page – Fran captured the essence of the song when she sang it at Drama School. Thank you for a perfect tribute. Fran & I were on the same Musical Theatre Course at Guildford. I was always a little in awe of her vibrancy, her daring, her ink blue/black hair!! We were poles apart but I have never forgotten her – she was a one off & this is a tragic end to a wonderful, generous, joyful spirit.
Comment by Carol — Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 @ 19:10
Fran the Pan has been my best mate since our first day at drama school in 1980. She was sporting bright pink hair and, over a cup of tea at the Wimpy, emptied the contents of her bag on the table. I remember being very impressed that she didn’t give a toss if anyone saw her pack of contraceptive pills (sheltered life!)
We’ve had so many good times and great laughs together. Than you for your brilliant article. By the way, that was my chemotherapy wig which I never really wore because I couldn’t take myself seriously in it. Nor Fran!
Rest In Laughter, Fran the Pan.
Comment by Al the Pal — Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 @ 18:42
I was so shocked to hear of the tragic news that we have lost Fran in such circumstances and at first I thought it must be someone else until the reality hit. I worked with Fran at HVA for many years and not only got to know her as a work colleague but also as a thoughtful and understanding individual. Her whacky personality always brought a smile to your face, her energy and enthusiasm was to be enveyed, and her commitment to her work and those she supported was untiring. My heart goes out to her family, particularly her young son. She was certainly a character and will be truly missed by many.
Comment by Habibah — Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 @ 12:59
A touching and fitting tribute to a wonderful lady. I worked closely with you at HVA in the early days and I recall the chats about our kids, community and fun things. Your solid devotion and profound love of your local community and the knowledge you shared with us was always impressive.
The photo is lovely and it is the way I wll remember you smiling and vibrant.
Comment by Lorraine — Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 @ 12:51
A lovely and fitting tribute. I too find it hard to believe I wont be bumping into Fran at some meeting or training in the near future. I remember first meeting her about 5/6 years ago, I had gone into HVA to source a placement for my degree. I ended up doing about 3 placements/projects because Fran was so enthusiastic and basically sold them to me, well that and I was a little bit scared of her 😉 she knew her stuff, she knew what she wanted and she knew how to get it done! and that is something we all will miss im sure. I last saw Fran just a few weeks before Christmas and she reminded me (and the group i was with) why she always remembered my name; no, not because we had worked together on and off for the last 5/6 years but it was in fact due to a rather funny and of course embarrassing, status my husband had left on my behalf on my facebook page when i stupidly left myself logged in one day! You just had to love her brutal honesty!!
Comment by Jodie — Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 @ 07:07
Bless you zelly you have said so well what we all want to say , I still can’t believe fran is gone, she’s an amazing woman and loved by so many, rest in peace darling Fran cxxx
Comment by Caz sanigar — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 22:46
Fran was at drama school when I was and was a vibrant colourful personality! She was so much fun and made me cry so much when singing
In a Jaques Brel show singing the old folk! She really
Felt the pain of the people in the song and that was one of her other gifts, empathy she was able to understand and empathise with people and get
Where they were coming from. She was all for the people the community and the hard done by! I recently rediscovered her on Facebook and have enjoyed banter with her. I am so sad at her death but am so happy to have been in her presence and known her fanastic energy and spirit! She will always brig
A smile to my face when I think of her!
Comment by Jopullan — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 22:06
thank you, that captured so much of how I felt when I heard the news. Terrible tragedy and so sad. X
Comment by Sue — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 21:27
What sad shocking news, Fran was an amazing person, and I feel privilaged to have know her for several years though our work. She bought amazing dynamics to all that she did, will be massively missed by everyone who has know her, and my heart goes out to her son.
Comment by Nicola Hawkins — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 21:16
A really beautiful piece which sums up everything about Fran, and accurate too. Thank you for taking the trouble to write this. x
Comment by Cheryl Davis — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 20:25
Lovely words for a lovely lady….RIP Fran.
Comment by Lisa — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 19:53
Such sad news – I read about the incident in Hastings Observer but hadn’t realised it was Fran. She helped me a lot in the past with various projects through HVA – really committed, friendly & down-to-earth. She’ll be sorely missed by the people of Hastings – my condolences to her family & friends.
Comment by Xaverine Bates — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 18:01
As a worker in the voluntary/charity sector of Hastings/St Leonards I came across Fran on many occasions in her role with Hastings Voluntary Action. Indeed, at one time our service had offices in the same building as Fran and she was always exuberant and bouncy and her occasional outrageous comments made for an amusing few minutes! However, her enthusiasm and commitment was always very evident and Hastings will be a poorer place without her.
Comment by Sandra Dean — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 18:01
A very poignant piece about a lady who will be much missed by the many people she interacted with and the initiatives she was involved in.
Comment by Cllr Mike Howard, Labour Councillor, West St Leonards Ward — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 13:34
Such sad news, Fran was an ex student of mine studying Playwork at university of Brighton if anyone knows of any details of funeral please could they contact me at dp47@brighton.ac.uk, thanks
Comment by Deborah price — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 12:57
a beautifully written, sensitive piece. Although I didn’t know Fran McKeown, I feel I know her a little now as someone special. Thank you
Comment by VG Lee — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 12:20
Nice, uplifting tribute Zelly, thank you. All the best, Anton x
Comment by Anton — Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 @ 10:42