Frances Anna Runner

Frances Anna Runner, brought into this world 93 years ago, has left us this November 26 for a peaceful, quiet rest with her family and friends who preceded her in the heavens.

Influenced by her parents who were raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York state, she early became a nature lover, craft enthusiast and self-developed her innate artistic talents.

The educational ride through the 12th grade in an upstate New York city was easy for her; en route, she herded younger playmates into groups and would play teacher versus students with them. In her high school junior/senior years, Frances and this obit author, who had known her since babyhood, dated and romanced together. This close relationship faded when she left her home town to attend a prominent arts and drama college in the "big city" of New York. (That romance was revived 46 years later – see below.)

In college she met and formed a relationship with a very talented art student whom she later married and had two sons with. Their marriage had unique family situations: there was never a visit to a Hallmark/greeting card counter and all holidays, anniversaries, blessed events and announcements were hand crafted, custom-made, beautiful artworks which often found themselves in frames on someone's wall.

Frances' career shifted from art teacher to teacher of handicapped children at a time when the challenged young ones became labeled "Special Educatable." She helped encourage the nationwide education systems to include "special ed" in their curriculum. In the New York State education system, her success with teaching severely handicapped children with her production of bright art work teaching booklets became known, recognized and copied.

Frances lost her husband to a severe cardiac condition in the mid 1970s. At about the same time, this author lost his wife to a divorce and while visiting her mother (with his mother) in the latter '70s saw a recent portrait of Frances on the piano. An immediate explosion of the heart created by memories of the early romance drove this author to visit Frances at her home. A marriage and super romantic reunion followed. Next, a retirement situation was sought which met both of the couple's needs. After 4,000 travel-trailer miles and 1 1/2 months visiting all East Coast retirement offerings, New Bern and its environs met or exceeded the standards established by both. In 1982, finances and real estate were juggled and Craven County became home to the two newly-wedded, happy residents.

Frances immediately plowed knee-deep in her beloved issues - help for handicapped and needy children, assistance for the poor and support for the senior citizens. She became known for her participation in organizations whose goals were her own. She worked actively with local organizations from 1983 until 2004 when her health began to slowly deteriorate, followed by her passing in her sleep on the morning of November 26, 2007.

She leaves two sons, Bruce Winiarski in Uniondale, N.Y., and William Winiarski in Bear, Del., and her New Bern husband, Waldo Runner.

Two "goodbye" viewings, will be held Thursday, Nov. 29, from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Cotten Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home.

An additional viewing time will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Cotten Funeral Home.

Paid obituary