Frances Karen (Ptaszynski) Hunter Obituary (1950 - 2022)

After a seven year decline into an extremely rare form of dementia, Fran has finally been called home to be with our Lord. While Primary Progressive Aphasia gradually stole her cognitive abilities, Fran never lost her love of family and friends, especially the deep devotion to her husband, Phil. Fran was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Polish parents, Donald and Joyce Ptaszynski, the first of eight children. A natural organizer, Fran labeled and called her siblings by number: (1) Fran Hunter, (2) Kathy Mason, (3) Steve Ptaszynski, (4) Stan Ptaszynski, (5) Sandy Gordon, (6) Sue Watson, (7) Mark Ptaszynski, and (8) Greg Ptaszynski. Only brother Stephen preceded her in death. Fran attended Catholic Schools, graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit, and her earliest ambition was to be a nun. That plan was thwarted when she married a Navy man, Ken VanAcker, and ended up in the Pacific Northwest, where they started a family. Without any formal training she went to work for a local dentist, the beginning of a career in the dental field that spanned 42 years. The last 13 years she spent as an instructor at Clover Park Technical College developing and teaching a program to prepare students to work in the front office of a dental clinic. She also designed and wrote the curriculum for a dental program used by the University of Washington and Shoreline Community College. An interesting fact about Fran's personal education: We think she is the only person in the State of Washington to hold a teaching certificate at the university level without a college degree. It was a special dispensation signed by Governor Christine Gregoire. About thirty years ago, Phil and Fran married. Together they share three adult daughters, Tammy (Alex) McBurney, Lauri (Marty) Lybeck, Shullon (Brian) Ford and six grandchildren, Tyler, Spencer (deceased), Austin, Wes, Paige, and Kaelen. Their married life quickly morphed into Wreathworks, a well-known boutique Christmas tree farm in the southwester corner of Kitsap County. The farm opens about Thanksgiving, but for weeks ahead of opening day, they are busy pruning trees, making wreaths, and hanging ornaments, getting ready for the short, but intensely busy season. Fran had already planted about 2000 trees before they married and she spent many a winter night making bows for the next year's wreaths. Hundreds of local pre-school children learned from Fran about making wreaths while decorating their tree cookie ornaments. She loved the rhythm of the season and looked forward to greeting customers that are now returning with a third generation looking for the perfect tree and some cookies and hot cider. To relax, when the season ended, Phil and Fran traveled to see the world. They went on thirty-three cruises, visiting every continent except Africa. They sailed around Cape Horn at least twice in both directions. But their favorite one was a family cruise through the Panama Canal, a shared experience that left lasting memories and fun family stories. As difficult as this last year has been, Phil would like to thank everyone who helped and offered support. A celebration of life will be held at Haven of Rest Funeral Home at 8503 State Route 16 NW, Gig Harbor WA 98332, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, February 19. Memorial donations can be made to the Northwestern Mesalum Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease PPA Research and Education Fund at 300 E. Superior, Tarry 8, Chicago, IL 60611 or www.brain.northwestern.edu/about/giving.html. Fran's last gift was the donation of her brain to this research center in Chicago. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17