Obituary of Francia C. McCashion

Francia (Gott) McCashion, passed away unexpectedly, at home, on Sunday, October 29.

Born October 12, 1937 in Albany, NY, Fran grew up in Voorheesville. She is predeceased by her parents Harry and Margaret (Jordan) Gott, sister Stephanie Nevin, and brother-in-law Andrew Nevin.

Fran married and was predeceased by John H. McCashion and is survived by her children: Lisa (Weston) Greenman, John “JC”, Maria, Caroline, Eileen, Edward, and Kevin; her grandchildren Ben (Sarah), Ryan and Nicole Greenman, Skye McCashion and her mother Lisa Landor; and her great-grandson Ellis Greenman; and nieces and nephews; and several long-time, close friends (blessedly so, too many to mention for fear of forgetting one).

A Salutatorian of Voorheesville Central High School, she studied marketing at the University of Maine and at Ithaca College where she graduated with a BA in English (concentration in Business, Radio, TV) and was recognized by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for academic excellence. She earned her MS in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose.

Fran held a variety of positions in media, the arts, publicity, advertising and editing. She taught Second Grade at Voorheesville Central School District and found her home in the South Colonie Central School District, where she was a substitute teacher and tutor for nearly 50 years (into her 80’s!). She was on the PTA Council, the PTAs of Roessleville, Sand Creek and Colonie Central High Schools, and a member of Dollars for Scholars, where she enjoyed putting together raffle baskets for the holiday fair at the High School.

She and her husband shared a passion for history and historic preservation. They were charter members and helped form the Town of Colonie Historical Society; charter members of the NYS Archeological Association and the Van Epps-Hartley Chapter of NYSAA; and members of the Capital District Civil War Round Table. Fran was on the board of Shaker Heritage Society, where she led site tours, and the board of Pruyn House.

Fran was very civic-minded. She was a Census enumerator and volunteered with numerous elections and campaigning door-to-door. For decades she could be seen around her district polling places on Election Day collecting vote counts, serving on the County Committee, as a poll watcher or an election inspector. She served on the Town of Colonie Community Development Committee, Conservation Advisory Board, Sign Review Board and Planning Board.

She was a Girl Scout and volunteered with the Hudson Valley Girl Scout Council (now GSNENY) as a troop leader and organizer, neighborhood leader, leader trainer, train-the-trainer instructor, a ranger at Camp Little Notch for troop and family camping, and served on the GS international events committee. She also had turns at being a committee person and volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America; a community advisor to the local 4-H board; and neighborhood captain and volunteer for the Heart Fund.

An avid reader, Fran was frequently found at the library, where she could tutor students and pick up the latest book that caught her interest (of which she had many). She enjoyed traveling and had the passport stamps to prove it. She enjoyed the theater and music and was a season-ticket holder or attendee of almost every community and professional theater in the region. She enjoyed art and was, in fact, a gifted artist, seamstress and a creative crafter. She enjoyed knitting, trying new recipes, baking for others, could identify every bird and flower she encountered, and was an “armchair” Jeopardy champion.

Fran’s faith was very important to her and she was active at Our Lady of Mercy, now Christ our Light, church since 1965. She was a former Parish Council member and chaired the Christmas Fair. A true catechist, she was a member of Children’s Liturgy Committee, founder and director of the Summer Vacation Bible School program, a religious education instructor for children and adults, and a Eucharistic Minister. Fran was a former member of Church Women United and drove her neighbors to church and other appointments as a Friends in Service Helping volunteer. Her faith and service to the church and community was formally acknowledged by the Albany Diocesan Women’s Commission.   

Relatives and friends are invited to call on the family on Friday, November 10, from 4-7:00 pm at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, Loudonville. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 11, 11:00am. The Rite of Committal will be held at St. John’s Cemetery, Colonie following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a monetary donation to Christ Our Light’s food pantry 1 Maria Dr., Loudonville, NY 12211. We also warmly welcome your condolences on this (reillyandson.com) website.