Frances Ann Newman of Wallkill, NY, died peacefully in St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh, NY on September 16, 2017 after many years of Parkinsons and a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She was 74.

Fran was the daughter of Francis and Anna (Vrabel) Gmitter, born in Yonkers on September 10, 1943.

She married Jim Newman of Yonkers in 1964. After a few years in Yonkers, they settled in Cortlandt Manor, NY for the next 36 years where they raised their children Jimmy, Debbie, and John, making lifelong friends calling themselves the "Taylor Avenue Gang". Fran often said how blessed we were to raise our Kids on Taylor. What great people.

Some years after the kids were old enough, Fran, having worked as a private secretary before marriage, returned to work getting a job with Lieberman Research and then later with Ambrosino Research in White Plains, where she remained for 27 years, until 2006, when she and Jim retired to Lake Bomoseen in Castleton, VT. In 2017, they moved back to NY due to her illness.

Her son Jim is married to Deborah Whitehouse, living in Walden, NY. They have two sons. Debbie is married to Rick Hedding. They live in Pittsford, VT and have two daughters in Castleton University. John is living in Wallkill with us and we believe God sent him back to us. He has been wonderful comfort and tremendous help to us these last few years. Couldn't have done it without him.

Fran really lived out the 3 Fs- Faith, Family, and Friends. The Church has been such an important part of her life; especially the Eucharist which meant so much to her. Needless to say she was a member of many organizations over the years, volunteering her time and talent. She treasured her friends, many being lifelong and so important to her. And as for family, her grandchildren were her greatest love and joy- Jimmy and Mike Newman and Brianna and Lexi Hedding. She was very proud of them and felt truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. She said it often, I think every day.

Fran loved to travel and every time she saw  plane she said she wished she was on it, going to somewhere. She especially loved beaches from Maine and Rhode Island to Hawaii and her favorite Aruba. "What vacations we had together". She loved to bake and was especially proud of her famous cheesecake. For years she loved to cross stitch until the Parkinsons caught up with her. And of course she was an avid reader with her book lists. And we can't forget the K9 love of her life, Abby, who would often be found on her lap or in bed with her. 

In addition to her immediate family, Fran is also survived by her brothers  Michael Gmitter and his wife Emily of Lynn, MA and Frank Gmitter and his wife Maria of Danbury, CT; her sisters June Fatiuk of Carmel, NY and Pat Devery and her husband Jim of Mahopac, NY; many nieces, nephews and friends.

A special heartfelt thanks to all the staff at St. Luke's Hospital; they were all wonderful.

Visitation will be Friday, September 22, 2017, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, and Saturday 9:30-10:30am at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, NY 12586. 

A funeral mass will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Most Precious Blood Church, 42 Walnut St., Walden, NY 12586.

Burial will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Yonkers, at a later date.

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