Frances M. Aiken

FORT EDWARD Frances M. Aiken, 91, a former resident of Fenimore, and one of the spunkiest ladies, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the Pleasant Valley Health Center. Born in Keene, N.Y., on May 21, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Jenny (Hughes) Merrill. Frances was a graduate of Port Henry High School. She attended nursing school, but had to return home when her father became ill. In 1939, she married George Aiken at the Lady of Our Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake. She worked as a nurse's aide at the Glens Falls Hospital until her retirement. After her retirement, she worked as a sitter for the hospital. She also worked for the American Cancer Society in Glens Falls. Her favorite activities were sewing and knitting. She was always knitting sweaters, hats and mittens for her family and friends. She also enjoyed cooking and was famous for her mincemeat cookies and chicken pot pies. Frances was a wonderful mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, George Aiken in 1976; a great- grandchild, Tyler Fuller and four sisters, Bernice Decker, Regina Davis, Aileen James and Elizabeth Everetts. Survivors include a daughter, Joyce Lackey and her significant other, Thomas McCarthy, of Queensbury; five sons: Richard Aiken and his wife, Elaine (Pidgeon), of Fort Edward, Joseph Aiken and his wife, Donna, of Hudson Falls, George Aiken of Columbus, Ga., David Aiken and his wife, Yeong, of Aurora, Colo. and Michael Aiken and his wife, Carol, of Kentucky; 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl Merrill and his wife, Ruth, of Moriah; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the M. B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward. Condolences may be sent to www.kilmers.com. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, pastor of St. Joseph Church, officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fort Edward. The family suggests that donations be made in Frances's memory to American Cancer Society, Mount Royal Plaza, 959 state Route 9, Queensbury, NY 12804.