Frances Cruger

Mrs. Frances S. V. Rice Cruger, 98, formerly of Hagerstown, died at Homewood at Williamsport on Saturday, October 14, 2017.  She was the wife of the late William H. Cruger, who preceded her in death on August 16, 1988.

Born April 15, 1919, in Hagerstown, she was a daughter of the late James Monroe, Sr., and Ada May Bonebrake Rice.

Frances graduated Hagerstown High School in 1937, and Columbia Business College, Hagerstown, in 1939.  Further, she graduated from Washington County Hospital School of Nursing in 1949; and completed post graduate work in Pediatrics at Childrens’ Hospital in October, 1950.  Frances attended Shepherd College in 1957; and completed post graduate studies with Hunter College from 1962-63 and Columbia University from 1965-69.

She retired from the Board of Education in Pelham, New York in 1972; and again from the Potomac Center, Hagerstown, in 1983.  Previously she had worked as a Red Cross Nurses Aide from 1941-46 at Washington County Hospital, and Newton D. Baker Veterans Administration Hospital, Martinsburg; and a retiree of AFSCME.

Frances was a member of Zion Reformed Church United Church of Christ, Hagerstown, and currently was an associate member of Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, Boonsboro.

Additionally, Frances was a member of the Hagerstown Chapter 89 Order of the Eastern Star, a life member of Shepherd College Alumni Association, and member of the Washington County Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association; the Washington County Historical Society, and Museum of Fine Arts; had served as Chairman of the American Red Cross of Mt. Vernon, New York, for 5 years; and was an assistant Girl Scout Leader in Pelham, New York, for 10 years.

She is survived step-grandson, William L. Gordon, of Margate, Florida; and nieces and nephews.

Frances was the last of her family.  Besides her husband and parents, Frances was also preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie Ann Cruger, who died January 13, 2004; as well as her siblings Mary R., James M. Jr., Paul F.,  George D., Lewis E. and Robert B. Rice; and step-daughter, Joan C. Gordon.

Visiting will be at Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, on Thursday, October 19 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.  A funeral service will being at the funeral home on Thursday at 11:00 AM, with her pastor, Rev. Donald R. Stevenson, officiating.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Cruger’s name to either Zion Reformed Church UCC, 201 N Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD  21740; or Trinity Reformed UCC, 33 Potomac Street, Boonsboro, MD  21713.