This portrait of Frances B. Murphey was published in the December, 1993 issue of the Sidebar. She was among 59 staffers honored November 11, 1993 at a service awards dinner at the Tangier. Fran was presented an anniversary clock by publisher John L. Dotson Jr.. and Editor Dale Allen for her 50 years of service. Those with 25 years of service were given engraved watches and the front page of the Beacon Journal on their hiring date. Honored for 25 years of service were Susan M. Hunt and Louise Robinson, advertising; Fred L. Leucke, Joe D. Patterson, Donald J. Phillips and Bernard Weigand, circulation; Barbara J. Dean, employee relations; David B. Cooper and Diane P. Lynch, newsroom; James Dancy, engraving; Larnie W. Greene, James T. Kittinger , Dennis Lazoren, Denzil Parker and Rita Stapleton, composing, and Terrance McGpvern, production.Fran died on November 9, 1998 -- almost five years to the day after the awards dinner,
Fran and I retired on the same day. Well, I retired. Fran never left the building, just "retired" to avoid medical takeaways that we all knew would be in the next Guild contract.
ReplyDeleteBeing Fran, when BJ folks had a farewell for her in the Blue Room, she insisted that I be recognized at the same time.
I still miss her, a lot. But I'm not alone in that.