Frances Thyng

Frances Bernette Trafton Thyng, of Wells and Surprise, AZ, died peacefully in Sun City, AZ on August 20.Frani was born in Sanford on September 13, 1925, the first born of Bernette and Maynard Trafton. She attended schools in St. Johnsbury and Burlington, VT and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy with the class of 1943. She wanted to attend nursing training, but found herself too young by half a month to enter the September 1943 class at the Springfield (MA) Hospital. The rules could not be broken, so she began training with the January 1944 class. Shortly after beginning training, she was able to enroll in a government Cadet Nurse program as World War II was in full swing by then. She earned a full $5.00 per month benefit for her enlistment. This was later raised to $15.00 per month, and finally to a grand $25.00 per month. Graduation was in June 1947, and mother, father and brother John enjoyed a full day of ceremonies.Frani's first priority after graduation was to renew her acquaintance with Clarence Howard Thyng, Jr., a young man with whom she had spent many summer hours at the family camps on Mousam Lake in Acton. They were married at the Free Baptist Church in Springvale on June 21, 1947. This was the same church in which her parents were married in August of 1923.Over the next twenty years, Frani practiced her nursing career at Goodall Hospital in Sanford. She worked primarily nights, supervising the hospital nursing staff on duty. She also spent time in the maternity and OB wards, or in the emergency room. All the while, she was honing her skills as a contract bridge player (initially taught by her father), and had received acclaim and awards over the years for her extraordinary talent at the game.Clarence and Frani's first son, Steven Drake, was born on August 30, 1948. Their second son, Cory Scott, was born on January 30, 1950. All through the 1950's and 1960's they raised their sons, taking them up to the camp on Mousam Lake every summer and on camping trips throughout the northeast United States. They sent both of them off to college in the latter part of the 1960's.In 1972, Clarence and Frani purchased Bunganut Lake Camping Area in Alfred. For the next fourteen years, the two of them ran a successful and enjoyable business. The camping area was improved and expanded and was sold in April 1986. For the next few years, the two traveled around the United States, even driving a large travel trailer all the way to Anchorage, Alaska and back. In the early 1990's, Clarence and Frani decided to spend the summers at a community of campers in Lebanon, and the winters in a community of adults in Surprise, AZ. When Clarence died in the summer of 1995, Frani decided to move her accomodations to her brother's property (a campground) in Wells. She spent the summers there, returning to Arizona each September.She is predeceased by her husband Clarence who died on August 17, 1995. She is survived by her two sons, Steven and Cory, her brother John, and four grandchildren. Steven's children are Julie and Jonathan and Cory's children are Matthew and Andrew.A graveside service will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in Springvale, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.Condolences may be expressed by click on the Condolences tab at left.