Francine Rose Feder passed away peacefully on March 6, surrounded by her loving family. She navigated her 90 years of life with remarkable strength, inspiring independence, and a perpetual twinkle in her eyes. Born in Los Angeles, Francine moved to San Francisco at age eight and lived there for the rest of her life. A Lowell High School alum, she met and fell in love with Jack Feder at the Tahoe Tavern when she was just seventeen - a love that blossomed into a marriage in 1952 and gifted them four children.
With her signature adventurous spirit and zest for life, Francine discovered waterskiing in her 40s and the family joined the River Ski Club, adding waves of fun and excitement to many summers. After separating from Jack in 1970, her resilience shone through when she courageously started college at San Francisco State at age 37, continuing on to earn a master's degree in counseling. She flourished in her second act as a psychotherapist, finding great joy in helping others heal their hearts and improve their lives, only retiring when the pandemic began. She had a powerful gift of connection, and cherished nothing more than emotional authenticity and deep, meaningful conversation.
In 1983, Francine found love again with Jack's brother, Allen Feder. While to the outside eye, this may have been surprising, it was clear to those around them that Francine and Allen complemented each other beautifully. They brought out the best in one another and spent 33 joyous years together, taking trips to Paris, going to the symphony, admiring art, traveling and savoring life.
Francine's curiosity was endless and enduring - she was always hungry for new insights and perspectives. A voracious reader of non-fiction, she sought not just to read about the world, but to taste its flavors and converse with its characters. Her passionate discussions were best paired with a delicious meal, and she could often be found enthusiastically toiling away in her kitchen, lingering over a long dinner at a favorite restaurant, and chatting late into the night over plates of dessert and cups of tea.
She was the matriarch of a vibrant, tight-knit family, always gathering her loved ones close, from an annual family trip to Pajaro Dunes to countless holiday brunches and Thanksgiving dinners at her ever-welcoming table. Her laugh, loud and unrestrained, will be heard in our hearts forever.
Francine's legacy is carried forward by her loving children and their spouses: John and Sue Feder, Cathy and Richard Janigian, Cindy and Andy Friedman, Dan and Sandra Feder; her grandchildren: Allie (Mike), Davey, Matthew, Dana, Jamie, Rachel, Abby, and Ellie; and her great-granddaughter Remy. Allen's children and their spouses were also very dear to her: Carolyn, Bruce and Beverly, and Cara and Alex, along with their respective children: Aaron, Jeremy, Elana, Jason and Ben. She was predeceased by her husband Allen Feder, her beloved great-grandson Theo Kramer, her sister Dionne Fenning, and her parents Charles and Rona Rose.
We invite you to join us in honoring a truly remarkable woman and celebrating Francine's beautiful life on Sunday, March 10 at 11 am, at Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame.
Donations in Francine's memory may be made to thecurestartsnow.org or Peninsula Temple Sholom.