Obituary for Dr. Anne Frances "Fran" Brennan (McCann) MD
Anne Frances (Fran) McCann Brennan, M.D.
Fran was born May 12, 1948, the first child of Alice M. Dittenhoefer and John J. McCann, in Brooklyn, New York. She passed on Sunday, December 18th, 2022. She is predeceased by her parents. Fran leaves behind many loved ones, including first and foremost, her beloved husband, Charles Meers. Fran's first husband, John L. Brennan, and father of her two sons, predeceased her.
Fran leaves two sons and six grandchildren :John L. and Elenita Brennan; and their children Joseph and Juliana of Tallahassee, FL; and Douglas and Andrea Brennan and their children, Austen, Caitlin, Alyssa and Brien of Youngsville, North Carolina. Fran also leaves two stepdaughters, Brenda Schulz and Amanda Stavenger.
Fran has four surviving sisters: Katherine and Ed Light of Seminole, FL; Christine and Bill Summers of Miami, FL; Vickie McCann of Davie, FL; and Alice McCann of Seminole, FL. She has many loving nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly, as well.
Fran spent her childhood in New Hyde Park, New York. She attended Hillside Grade School and Holy Ghost Catholic School in her early school years. She moved with her family to Miami, FL in 1959 for reasons of her father's health; it was felt he could not survive another winter in New York.
There she attended Cypress Elementary School and Riviera Junior High School. She spent part of her high school years at the Novitiate in Jensen Beach, Florida; and completed her high school education at lmmaculata Academy in Miami.
She married her first husband, John L. Brennan, in 1967. Together they had 2 sons, Jack and Doug. Fran attended Florida State University and the University of Louisville. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Psychology and spent many years practicing in a busy psychology practice, which she loved.
She returned to the University of Louisville, having a strong desire to become a doctor, and graduated with a M.D. degree in 1994. She received many academic awards in her life, and was always at the top of her class -- she loved education and loved achievement! She gained so much satisfaction from her role as a physician. Fran worked as a physician at Jewish Hospital.
She married longtime friend and partner, Charles Meers, in 2015. Fran and Charlie had wonderful times together with family and friends travelling and enjoying life. Fran enjoyed her shih tzu dog named Titus, who brought her much pleasure.
Fran was an indomitable spirit. As the oldest of 5 children, she loved being "in charge" when our parents were absent. She was a born leader. I always admired that she was never afraid to reach above the ordinary to achieve a goal. We had always called her Anne Frances from the time of her birth. At age 13, she decided it was much "cooler" to be called "Fran" and she literally changed her name. What a time we all had making that change, but she was determined and we complied.
She boldly declared at age 14 that she was going to enter the junior novitiate in Jensen Beach, FL with intentions to become a NUN! After getting our parents on board, she decisively went off to boarding school in Jensen Beach for 2 years before arriving back home and announcing that she no longer had a vocation, but now had a boyfriend. She dyed her hair blonde. She became president of the Student Council at the local Catholic high school, went to Girl's State, and graduated with honors! Her personality exuded confidence, intelligence, and love of family.
If you asked Fran what her proudest accomplishment was, I believe she would say without hesitation that it was her two sons, Jack and Doug, and her grandchildren. I could always draw her into extended conversations about them. They resided deep in her heart and mind. She prayed for them and their success in life. She loved them deeply. She was proud of being a responsible daughter. She was proud of becoming a doctor and being a good one. She was proud of sharing her life with Charlie.
I've thought a lot about what Fran would like to be remembered for. I think she would want to be remembered as a courageous human being who had human foibles, but rose above them to achieve the most she could from the talents that she was blessed with; but far and above, that she would want to be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and wife. She would want us all to know that the illness that befell her was a devastating blow to her but that she did her best to handle it with grace. She would want us to know that now she is resting in the glory of the Lord and in the loving embrace of her heavenly family, and awaiting her reunion with her loved ones here on earth.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the caring and professional services of the staff at Sunrise of Louisville, as well as Hosparus,
Visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY, on Saturday, January 7th, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., with interment to follow at the Magnolia Cemetery, in Magnolia, Kentucky.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.
Fran was born May 12, 1948, the first child of Alice M. Dittenhoefer and John J. McCann, in Brooklyn, New York. She passed on Sunday, December 18th, 2022. She is predeceased by her parents. Fran leaves behind many loved ones, including first and foremost, her beloved husband, Charles Meers. Fran's first husband, John L. Brennan, and father of her two sons, predeceased her.
Fran leaves two sons and six grandchildren :John L. and Elenita Brennan; and their children Joseph and Juliana of Tallahassee, FL; and Douglas and Andrea Brennan and their children, Austen, Caitlin, Alyssa and Brien of Youngsville, North Carolina. Fran also leaves two stepdaughters, Brenda Schulz and Amanda Stavenger.
Fran has four surviving sisters: Katherine and Ed Light of Seminole, FL; Christine and Bill Summers of Miami, FL; Vickie McCann of Davie, FL; and Alice McCann of Seminole, FL. She has many loving nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly, as well.
Fran spent her childhood in New Hyde Park, New York. She attended Hillside Grade School and Holy Ghost Catholic School in her early school years. She moved with her family to Miami, FL in 1959 for reasons of her father's health; it was felt he could not survive another winter in New York.
There she attended Cypress Elementary School and Riviera Junior High School. She spent part of her high school years at the Novitiate in Jensen Beach, Florida; and completed her high school education at lmmaculata Academy in Miami.
She married her first husband, John L. Brennan, in 1967. Together they had 2 sons, Jack and Doug. Fran attended Florida State University and the University of Louisville. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Psychology and spent many years practicing in a busy psychology practice, which she loved.
She returned to the University of Louisville, having a strong desire to become a doctor, and graduated with a M.D. degree in 1994. She received many academic awards in her life, and was always at the top of her class -- she loved education and loved achievement! She gained so much satisfaction from her role as a physician. Fran worked as a physician at Jewish Hospital.
She married longtime friend and partner, Charles Meers, in 2015. Fran and Charlie had wonderful times together with family and friends travelling and enjoying life. Fran enjoyed her shih tzu dog named Titus, who brought her much pleasure.
Fran was an indomitable spirit. As the oldest of 5 children, she loved being "in charge" when our parents were absent. She was a born leader. I always admired that she was never afraid to reach above the ordinary to achieve a goal. We had always called her Anne Frances from the time of her birth. At age 13, she decided it was much "cooler" to be called "Fran" and she literally changed her name. What a time we all had making that change, but she was determined and we complied.
She boldly declared at age 14 that she was going to enter the junior novitiate in Jensen Beach, FL with intentions to become a NUN! After getting our parents on board, she decisively went off to boarding school in Jensen Beach for 2 years before arriving back home and announcing that she no longer had a vocation, but now had a boyfriend. She dyed her hair blonde. She became president of the Student Council at the local Catholic high school, went to Girl's State, and graduated with honors! Her personality exuded confidence, intelligence, and love of family.
If you asked Fran what her proudest accomplishment was, I believe she would say without hesitation that it was her two sons, Jack and Doug, and her grandchildren. I could always draw her into extended conversations about them. They resided deep in her heart and mind. She prayed for them and their success in life. She loved them deeply. She was proud of being a responsible daughter. She was proud of becoming a doctor and being a good one. She was proud of sharing her life with Charlie.
I've thought a lot about what Fran would like to be remembered for. I think she would want to be remembered as a courageous human being who had human foibles, but rose above them to achieve the most she could from the talents that she was blessed with; but far and above, that she would want to be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and wife. She would want us all to know that the illness that befell her was a devastating blow to her but that she did her best to handle it with grace. She would want us to know that now she is resting in the glory of the Lord and in the loving embrace of her heavenly family, and awaiting her reunion with her loved ones here on earth.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the caring and professional services of the staff at Sunrise of Louisville, as well as Hosparus,
Visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY, on Saturday, January 7th, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., with interment to follow at the Magnolia Cemetery, in Magnolia, Kentucky.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.