On December 21 we celebrated the life and home-going of our beloved Fran Warren, who passed away on Dec. 5.
Opening and closing prayers by Pastor Joyce Swingle.
Worship was led by Joe Santucci. Joe has graciously allowed us to insert a studio recording of his song Bethlehem's Child in the place where he performed it in the service. You can find links to Joe's music at JoeSantucci.com.
Eulogy written by Jim and Linda Warren, read by Rich Swingle. Testimonies by Rich Swingle, Tamara W., John and Paula M., and Pastor Randy Solomon. Scripture reading from Song of Songs, chapter 2 by Rich and Pastor Joyce Swingle.
Sermon by Pastor Linda Warren.
This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.
Please post your memories and thoughts about this amazing woman of God along with prayers and condolences to the family in the comments below. Upload photos to your favorite photo storage page (Flikr, Shutterfly and Google+ are all easy and free) and paste a link below.
Here is Pastor Joyce Swingle's announcement:
It is with mixed feelings that I tell you that our beloved Fran Warren went home Wednesday to be with Jesus.
She became ill with what looked like pneumonia and was being treated at Cabrini when -- in her frailty -- she succumbed in the early evening. Please praise the Lord for her amazing life, given over to the glory and honor of the Lord, and please pray for Jim, his sisters Debbie and Dona, Linda, Rebekah and all Fran's grandchildren. Pray for peace and comfort.
--Pastor Joyce Swingle
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 14: 1-3
We miss Fran so much!
ReplyDeleteWe were blessed to have visited her only a week and a half before her passing. We almost went shopping! We praise the Lord we spent that afternoon with her. She was in great spirits; happier than we'd seen her in a long time. Even that day we recognized it as a very special visit, though we never would have guessed that it was our last on this earth.
I grew up hearing the Lord speak through my grandmother. She died when I was in college, and though it was a Christian school, and though I went on to seminary, the word of the Lord wasn't spoken to me again through one of his prophets until I met Fran. I'm forever grateful that she listened and reported with obedience.
When Joyce and I were courting, there was a point at which Joyce thought it was just going to be a friendship. When she expressed that thought to Fran she told Joyce, "Don't you dare get in the way of what the Lord is doing." So I have Fran to thank for what I believe to be one of the most wonderful marriages in all of history.
Fran was the one that had the vision for me to write two of my plays, The Revelation and The Acts. She also had the vision for me to write a play that illustrates God's Covenant. I'm sorry I never finished it before she went to be with The Creator, but I am working on that one again and hope to finish by March.
Fran had a vision of seeing the Lord, and she told us all He has red hair. Later she was told by a doctor that she'd had a heart attack some years previous. We figured that the time of the vision lined up with the heart attack, and that she actually had died, but it wasn't her time then.
Before entering the stage for performances of The Revelation I picture myself dancing with Jesus at the throne of God. Now I picture Fran dancing there with Him, and both of them have red hair flying.
My deepest condolence for the lost of our Fran Warren. Fran is a beautiful and classy woman of God. I am so thankful for the opportunity she gave me to be her friend. I love her and her wonderful smile.I can't wait to see her again in heaven.
ReplyDeleteOver the years and especially during Fran’s time at Cabrini Nursing home, Fran & I developed a special relationship. When I visited her at Cabrini, she would tell everyone I was her “church daughter”. During our visits we would have “Church”. I would share about the preaching & teachings from our Sunday services, since she was unable to attend. We would sing praises and pray together to our Lord. Fran just loved to worship. At times it was hard for her to be happy as the flesh grew weak but during prayer and praise her spirit was strong. Those were special times we had together with our Lord and I will cherish them always.
ReplyDeleteFran was a prayer warrior. So know that even during her last days, the entire Westchester Chapel Community was always in her prayers. Those prayers were heard and effectual for our community, so praise the Lord. I am personally, grateful for all the talks and prayers for my family.
As a mother she lovingly shared how proud she was of her son, Jim, granddaughter, Rebekah, and daughter-in-law, Linda. She always told me how thankful she was for Pastor Jim’s care and concern for her. She also talked lovingly about her daughters, Dona & Debbie as well as all her grandchildren. In her room, pictures of loved ones surrounded her. The pictures served as reminders and she often talked of joyful memories such as when Pastor Jim graduated and when he was a little boy. He was very cute with his red hair. There were also beautiful pictures of Pastor Joyce and Rich at their wedding as well as the Solomon family, Pastor Randy, Melanie, & Anna. She loved you all so much.
We will miss Fran in this life but we look forward to the time we will all be together again in the presence of our Lord.
Oh! Blessings! What a sweet woman!
ReplyDeleteTribute to Fran Warren
ReplyDeleteWhile many older folks are nostalgic and stuck in the past, Fran was a spiritual catalyst and a vital and vibrant member of Westchester Chapel well into her 80’s—leading the prayer and intercession ministry and providing a mother’s love and wisdom to everyone at the Chapel. To us she was simply “Mom,” a spiritual mother and friend who always had a unique way of seeing things and could help you put things into perspective. As members of Christ’s body we are called into community to complete each other’s story, and Fran had a marvelous prophetic and intercessory gift, offering invaluable guidance and direction to us many times throughout the 16 years we knew her. We have many of these words from the Lord preserved in print and we refer to them to put ourselves in remembrance of what the Lord has done at critical decision-making points in our lives.
Psalm 92:12-15: The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”
She was like a green olive tree planted by the rivers and her leaves did not wither, she bore fruit throughout her life and into her old age.
We have many fond memories of Fran that include her love of shopping. We made a few memorable trips with her to The Christmas Tree Store, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club…and Fran savored every minute of each and every one! She had a keen fashion sense – her love of color and style were carefully coordinated in each outfit and her ability to accessorize was second to none. She had a distinctive way of expression that was all her own – interesting, frequently hilarious and peppered with southernisms. Never one to mince words, Fran was obedient to speak the truth…grounded in compassion. For that and more, we are grateful.
This marks the passing of a great woman of God. We will dearly miss her and extend our deepest condolences to the family.
Dom & Leslie (Kay) Crincoli
Thank you for everyone that came...it looks like it was such a great memorial. Mom loved you guys so much. I would also like to thank you for all of the time and love you gave to her through the years and at Cabrini where she needed your support the most.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my illness, I was unable to travel to attend the memorial. But I have spent a lot of time on the memorial website and I am so thankful that I was able to hear the service. Everyone did such a beautiful job and it was great to hear all of your voices again.
Thanks for all of your prayers for Jamie, Linda and Rebakah. I know that they may need all of your prayers for Edith (Linda's mom) for her continued health and well being.
Thanks for your patience for mom's shopping sprees that could last from 10 minutes to 10 hours. Oh, did she love to look at pretty things.
With love and gratitude, Dona & Charlie Brown (Fran's daughter)