Frances, a.k.a. Francie, Eileen (Kearney) Opstad died peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. She was born on July 23, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edward John Kearney and Eileen Frances Kearney. Francie was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Eileen Deeck.
Francie is survived by husband Thomas Andrew Opstad, daughters Caitlin (Steven) Lodzinski and Lauren (Steven) Opstad-Oates, grandchildren: David and Claire Lodzinski, and Rowan and Aiden Oates as well as her siblings, Neil (Shelly) Kearney, Anne Kearney and Andrew (Pam) Kearney.
Francie graduated from Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in 1970 and Thomas Jefferson University with a nursing degree in 1973. After graduating, Francie followed her heart and sense of adventure by joining the U.S. Navy in 1974. Her first duty station was the Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. From there, Francie requested orders overseas and accepted a position at the Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy. It was in Naples that Francie met her future husband, Tom, who was a corpsman stationed in the same hospital. Tom and Francie shared many special memories and adventures in Italy and around Europe while stationed in Naples.
After leaving the Navy, Francie moved to Seattle to be with Tom. They were married Aug. 31, 1979, at St. Margaret Church in Narberth, Pennsylvania. A devoted wife and mother, Francie worked as an operating room nurse while she and Tom raised their two girls in Whatcom County, Washington. Once their daughters left the home, they moved around the state living in Port Townsend and Aberdeen, retiring in Camas, Washington. Wherever they landed, Francie embraced and contributed to their community, meeting many good friends and neighbors around Washington state. Once retired, Francie and Tom enjoyed trips to visit their youngest daughter and her two sons in Edinburgh, Scotland. Francie enjoyed reading, sharing a great bottle of wine, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Francie was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Clare Catholic Church (8535 SW 19th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97219) on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. In place of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Francie’s name.
