Frances Phyllis (Lorenzo) Switser was born in LaJunta, Colorado on January 16, 1939 to Rocco and Grace (DiDomenico) Lorenzo.
Fran, known as Francie in her younger years, graduated from LaJunta High School in 1957 where she participated in the marching band, pep club, Tiger Twirlers, and multiple honor societies. She played the cello and was named Class Queen throughout high school. She attended business school at Otero Junior College where she met and later married her beloved lifelong partner, Gary Switser, on August 27, 1960. Together they moved to Kansas City, where she worked in a bank and supported Gary while he attended the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Upon Gary’s graduation they moved to Denver, CO where she continued to work in the banking industry until they started a family.
In 1967, they moved to Boulder, CO where Gary began his long career at IBM and Fran stayed home with their two young daughters. In 1974, to be closer to her girls, Fran took a position as the cashier at Foothill Elementary School and was well known as the cheerful “lunch lady”, greeting the students each day. She moved onto several other positions and served as the Office Manager and Assistant to the Principal for 15 years. During this time, Fran was adored by the students who frequently visited her office to laugh, share stories or seek comfort. Fran moved on to the Boulder Valley Education Center where she served as an executive assistant in Human Resources and later to the Superintendent until she retired after 26 years with the Boulder Valley School District.
In 2001 Fran and Gary retired to “The Forest” in Larkspur, CO where they built their dream home and enjoyed their quiet life in the foothills. Fran was very social in her community. She was involved in the HOA, participated in book club, Canasta club and volunteered at Saint Francis of Assisi.
In the empty nest years, Fran and Gary traveled throughout Europe several times, biked the Oregon coast and enjoyed trips to Alaska, Maine, Belize, and many other destinations to see friends and family. They loved family trips to beaches across the country with their grandkids.
Fran spent her later years living at Morning Star Assisted Living Community in Littleton, CO where she was a calming presence for other residents, often forgetting about her own feelings to help others when she saw that they were upset.
Throughout her life, Fran was a constant source of strength and support for her daughters, always teaching them to be their best while encouraging them to love others and enjoy life. Fran, known as “Grammie”, loved spending time with her five grandchildren and was always present for their activities and important milestones, cheering them on in her sweet and loving way. Through the years, she developed special connections with a huge extended network of friends of all ages. Everyone knew Grammie!
She leaves her two loving daughters and son-in-laws, Kelli (Switser) and Garrett Kane; Kristi (Switser) and Shawn McLaughlin; five loving grandchildren, Alexa and Mason Kane; Mia, Montana and Max McLaughlin; brother Ron Lorenzo and family; sister-in-law Kathy (Jim Steward) and family.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gary Switser and her extraordinary parents, Rocco and Grace Lorenzo.
In lieu of flowers, please consider participating in your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s or making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. They are committed to funding the acceleration of global research into methods of treatment, prevention, and eventually a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Find out more at www.alz.org.
To plant a tree in memory of Frances Phyllis Switser, visit the Tribute Store.
30
Sep
2746 East Fifth Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Funeral Mass with reception following.
880 East Wolfensberger Road
Castle Rock, CO 80104
