Frances M. Mithen

Frances M. Mithen, 79, of Ballston Spa, NY, died September 21, 2011 at home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Ballston Spa, one of five children of the late Ernest Fred Carp and Ruth Castle Carp. She was pleased to learn that her father’s roots could be traced to the Mayflower.

Fran graduated from Ballston Spa High School in 1949 at age 16. She graduated from Ellis School of Nursing in 1953, and was an RN at Ellis Hospital, including serving as the head nurse of the orthopedic unit. She married Thomas J. Mithen on July 20, 1963, at the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa. They moved to Manchester, MA, where Fran worked for Beverly Hospital while her husband attended seminary.

The couple moved back to Schenectady in 1965, and then settled in Ballston Spa in May 1967.

Fran was active at the First Baptist Church as a choir member, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and in the women’s fellowship. She was also a founding member of the Old Stone Church in North Milton. She was active in her husband’s ministry for over 40 years. She liked to read, enjoyed traveling with her family, having lunch with her classmates and friends at the Ballston Spa Seniors, and loved spending time with her twin granddaughters.

Fran was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She had a positive attitude, and never complained. She said she was living with cancer, not dying of it.

Survivors include her husband, Tom; son, David of Cambridge, MA; daughter, Lori (Mithen-DeMasi) and son-in-law Michael DeMasi of Clifton Park; twin granddaughters, Emma and Sophia DeMasi; sisters, Gladys Kahler and Margaret Wheeler, both of Ballston Spa.

A private committal service was held at the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery. A memorial celebration of Fran’s life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Reformed Church of Scotia.

The family asks that any donations in Fran’s memory be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the First Reformed Church of Scotia, 224 North Ballston Ave, Scotia, NY 12302.