Obituary: Shirley Ruth Francer

Shirley Ruth Francer, at 95

Shirley Ruth Francer died on September 5, 2024 at the age of 95. She will always be in the hearts of her family, her wide group of friends, and all the people whose lives she touched over the years.

She was born on May 26, 1929 in Mattapan to Dora and Harry Lakin. Mrs. Francer was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 72 years, Hecky, who was everything to her, and her family was the most important thing in her life. She is survived by her children, Sharon Francer, Laurence Francer and his husband, Jerome, and Beth Napurano and her husband, Chris; her brother, Eugene Lakin and his wife Terri; and her grandchildren, Harrison and Benjamin Wurth. She will also be missed by their father, Andrew Wurth.

Mrs. Francer grew up in a loving family and was very close with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. An ice cream factory and candy store were the Lakin family businesses, and thus her lifelong sweet tooth was born. She spent one year at the University of Miami and then transferred to Boston University, where she graduated with a degree in education and French. After marrying Hecky, they moved to Brookline, where she worked at Filene’s in downtown Boston as a personal shopper and briefly taught French before moving to Hull to raise their family. Shirley and Hecky had a large group of friends through their affiliation with Temple Beth Sholom, where Mrs. Francer taught Hebrew School and was heavily involved in both the local and regional chapters of Hadassah. Mr. and Mrs. Francer would travel with their group of friends to the Catskills and Martha’s Vineyard but, mostly, they just enjoyed being on the beach with family. Mr. and Mrs. Francer loved music and they were subscribers to the Boston Symphony for more than 50 years. They loved fine restaurants, but none ever rivaled Mrs. Francer’s cooking. She will be remembered for her gourmet cuisine, her impeccable taste in fashion, and as one half of a beautiful couple – Shirley and Hecky. 

Her funeral service was held in the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Brookline on Tuesday, September 10. Interment followed in the Shepetovka Cemetery, West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Temple Beth Sholom, 600 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045 or the Dr. Ruth McLain Hospice House, 670 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184.