Frances (Fran) Albertson

Both born in North Carolina, Tom (High Point) and Fran (nee Brawley; Mooresville) met in Durham while they attended Duke University.  They married in 1957; Tom was halfway through Duke’s medical school and Fran possessed a registered nurse’s degree and had completed two months of work as a staff nurse at Charlotte Memorial Hospital.   The couple settled in a small apartment in Durham, while Tom continued his studies and Fran held the position of Assistant Head Nurse at Duke University Hospital.  

Tom’s training, after receiving his medical degree, included an internship and two residency programs (Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergies) at Duke plus two years stationed in Albany, Georgia, with the United States Air Force.  In 1965, with Tom’s studies completed, the couple, now with three children, moved to Lynchburg, where Tom joined Hopkins Pediatrics Associates.  Because of his work, Tom became an active member of a local Cystic Fibrosis Club, serving as its president for many years.

After arriving in Lynchburg, the growing family soon included a fourth child.  Today, all four and their spouses live on the East Coast.  Thomas (Tom) Howard Albertson, Jr. and his wife Bernadette have a home in Milburn, N.J.  Two daughters and spouses reside in North Carolina--Jill and Rich Beck in Chapel Hill, and Sheryl and Richard Wardman in Greensboro.  Daughter Millie Sue and husband Robert call Athens, Georgia, home.  The Albertsons’ 11 grandchildren are scattered throughout the United States.

 In 1985, Fran took a nursing refresher course at Virginia Baptist Hospital and, for many years thereafter assisted on the Pediatrics floor as an “on call” nurse.  Tom retired in 2000, giving the couple extra time to pursue their interests in the natural world and travel.  Both enjoyed establishing and maintaining a notable rose garden and wildflower beds at their home on Woodland Avenue. Tom, already an avid photographer, captured their best specimens on film and joined the Lynchburg Men’s Horticulture Club.  Some of his photographs have been framed and will hang on the walls of their WC apartment.  Fran, interested in flower arranging, became a member of the Ragged Robin Garden Club.  She also spends time reading and playing bridge.

Tom and Fran have traveled extensively in the United States and abroad.  Because of their interest in the out-of-doors they have visited most of the country’s national parks, all great sites for Tom’s photography hobby.  With Fran’s Scot-Irish ancestry, they especially enjoyed trips to Scotland and Ireland.  For sheer beauty, however, they list Switzerland as one of their favorites from all  their trips.

The Albertsons come to WC as ardent Duke fans, an interest that they guarantee will never diminish.  They plan to fully utilize the Wellness Center programs and activities; in fact, Fran has  already attended morning exercise classes.  They look forward to catching up with old friends and establishing new friendships. 

Unfortunately, Tom died one month after his arrival at Westminster Canterbury.