It is with profound sadness that the family of Frances "Fran" E. Secord announces her passing on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the age of seventy-nine, after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Fran was born on May 11, 1946, in Montour Falls to the late Harry and Ruth (Bement) Tuttle. Fran retired from Cornell University's NYS School of Industrial Labor and Relations after 28 years of employment. She was a member of Burdett Presbyterian Church, volunteered at the Office for the Aging, and Wags to Riches. She also enjoyed baking cookies for the weekly "coffee club" meetings at Burger King.
Fran is survived by her daughter Michele; a grandson, MacKenzie; great-granddaughters, Ariah and Victoria; brothers, Jim and Harold Tuttle; her best gal pals, Mary Lou Rappleye and Marion Stallings; along with her favorite niece, Diane Carl.
Fran was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, Harold; brothers, Charlie, Bucky, Herbie, Bobby, and Jack; and sisters, Ellen Voorhees, Ruth Anna Smith, and Jeanne Payne.
A celebration of life "Coffee Hour" will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9:00-11:00 am at the Burdett Fire Department, 4124 Lake Ave., Burdett, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Burdett Presbyterian Church, 3995 Church St., Burdett, NY 14818, the Burdett Fire Department, 4124 Lake Ave., Burdett, NY 14818, and/or the Human Society of Schuyler County, 124 Marina Dr., Montour Falls, NY 14865.
Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed:
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth –
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
Priests of the Sacred Heart