Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Frank of the Bountiful Garden


Some of you might remember me writing about my neighbor Frank, Frank and his wife Dorothy. Frank and Dorothy were our neighbors on the west side. Were. I'm sad to report that Frank died Monday night, at home. He was 88.


Frank built the house that he and Dorothy lived in and the greenhouses where they ran their nursery business for most of their lives, there on their acre. They were already in their 80s, or nearly, when we met them, when we bought the country house. Dorothy already had the cancer that killed her a few years later. When we first started coming for the weekends and then longer weekends they were both still out there in the yard and garden every day doing stuff. Frank was still climbing up on the roofs of the greenhouses and their house making repairs. Dorothy had a large garden cart that she pulled along behind her for the carrying of stuff.


Their yard was always meticulously kept with flowers planted per season, mowed and tidy and free of weeds front and back...flower beds and hanging baskets and planters. And the garden and fruit trees...apple, pear, figs, peaches, blackberry vines, and two satsuma orange trees that produced literally thousands of oranges.


Frank was out there every day no matter how hot or cold. Hardly a week went by that he wasn't knocking on the back door with oranges or peaches or figs or long beans or carrots or broccoli or turnips or whatever. When my daughter would come out, he would load her up as well.


I liked to go over there and check out his garden, see what he was doing. It was always so abundant. Mine was, mine was definitely a beginner garden.


But then Dorothy's hip broke and her spine started to collapse and Frank was caring for her and then about 3 1/2 years ago she died and Frank sort of slowly lost his mooring. He still planted the garden though his son, Allen, was helping more and more but he'd forget to harvest with no one to cook or put up the food. A grandson lived with him for awhile but then Frank was living alone again and his mind was starting to deteriorate and he would forget to take his meds. Eventually his son and daughter arranged for 24 hour live-in care. And that has been the way of it for about a year and a half. We would see Frank out with his caretaker and go over and say hello or Zaide would bring him over if he saw us in the yard.

I hadn't seen Frank outside much since late last summer and Monday Marc saw Zaide out and went to talk with her. She told him that Frank mostly just ate and slept now, that the end was pretty near. And then he died that very night.

I'll miss Frank. I miss Dorothy. I miss our early years out here when they were both still alive and their place was full and abundant. Things will change now though as Allen thinks they will sell the property.

Fly high Frank.




15 comments:

  1. i'm so sorry. and sorry that frank's last years were not as active as i'm sure he would have preferred. what a great couple to have as neighbors.

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  2. I know what it's like to have (had) great neighbours and I am sorry for your loss. You wrote a beautiful tribute to Frank.

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  3. What a great friend to have Sad to lose him. What a bountiful yard to take over.I hope someone will continue for him.

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  4. Sad for the loss of your neighbor, but it does sound like this couple had a long, happy and productive life.

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  5. Yes, farewell to both, Frank and Dorothy. We all know/knew these dear old people. Now we are becoming them; I doubt we will be the same.

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  6. WOW he was good at this "life" thing, glad he was your neighbor.

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  7. I do remember your writing about Frank. Sounds like a sad last few years, but to die in one's sleep is a good thing. I hope that whoever moves in will also love gardening; that would be awfully nice.

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  8. Love you Ellen. I'm so glad you're pondering the good times. I hope the new owners show the property the same love and respect Dorothy and Frank have. Peace friend.

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  9. Yes. May he fly free. A man of the earth. I heard a guy once refer to "the changers of the oil and the tillers of the soil," and he did that with great respect.
    I carry that with me.
    Frank and Dorothy. A love story that bloomed beautifully.

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  10. I'm sure Dorothy and Frank are enjoying their reunion. Thanks for sharing this story, it is so valuable to be neighbors and care about folks.

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  11. Oh Ellen-what a sadness, but happy memories

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  12. Oh, I'm sorry. Change like this is always sad, although living into their 80s, they sound like they did pretty well. I hope whoever buys the place continues to care for it.

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  13. I do like the picture of him on his roof and I'm glad you can still remember him as an active man in his 80s. You were so lucky to have known him - and he, you.

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  14. I keep wondering how long my dad will plant such a big garden. He does love it - but his body protests these days...

    Fly high Frank!!

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I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.