Frances Carew

LAKE OSWEGO, OR Frances Dwyer Carew, 89, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, Ore. Born on September 17, 1921 in Hartford, Conn., Frances was the daughter of the late Dr. William and Frances (Davidson) Dwyer, and sister of the late William Dwyer. Frances grew up in Hartford and graduated from the Oxford School. At 18, she became one of the youngest licensed female pilots in the U.S. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College in 1943. After graduating she worked in New York City as a Spanish/English translator and assistant to the President of WR Grace & Co. In 1945, Frances wed Howard Carew of Murray Hill, N.J. The couple lived in the Washington, D.C., area while Howard served in the U.S. Navy. The couple moved to York in 1946 to start a business and raise a family. They had three children, Susan Boulding (d. 1989) formerly of Boulder, Colo., Michael (Jill) Carew of York, Peter (Nancy) Carew of Lake Oswego, Ore. Frances and Howard were happily married until his death in 1987. Some of the interests she shared with her husband were sailing, skiing, tennis and gardening. She was a voracious reader and avid Bridge player. Frances was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church until her move to Oregon in 2003, where she became a member of Christ Church Episcopal Parish. Frances's thoughtfulness and generosity were reflected in her lifelong commitment to volunteer service in the community. Some of her volunteer activities included: Sustainer of the Junior League of York, President of the York Hospital Auxiliary, Board of Directors of The Visiting Nurse Assoc. of York, Brownie leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, PTA, Meals on Wheels, the Garden Club of York, Tennis For Kids, Nixon Park Nature Center, Immunization education for new mothers, and, more recently, Pot Luck in the Park in Lake Oswego, Ore. In 2003 Frances moved with her faithful dog, Bonnie, to the retirement community of Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, Ore., where she made many new friends and enjoyed closer proximity to her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by grandson, Keenan Carew (d. 1993.) A memorial service will be held at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 140 N. Beaver St., York, on Friday, August 19, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nixon Park, SPCA, Visiting Nurse Assoc., or a charity of your choice.