Frances T. Edick, R.N.

ILION – Frances “Fran” Beatrice (Traver) Edick, R.N., age 97, formerly of 460 Upper Otsego St., Ilion, passed away peacefully, on Friday, May 8, 2026, with her son Rudyard by her side.

She was born on May 12, 1928, on a dairy farm in Palentown, NY, the daughter of John Homer Traver and Jennie May (Gray) Traver. Fran attended a 1 room country school (presently a historical landmark) in Palentown that her parents also attended and where her mother taught in the early 20th century. In her rural childhood, she grew up with a beloved dog named Chubby who saved farm animals and her brother’s life. She fondly talked about this dog up until her death. On the farm she developed a love of horses, which stayed with her all her life, teaching her youngest son how to ride and cultivating a similar fascination with horses in him. She completed Nurses Training with the last class of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps of WW II at Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY, receiving a B.S. in Nursing and completing graduate (Masters) courses at Utica College of Syracuse University. Fran married Roy Wagner Edick, on Aug. 19, 1950, at the Methodist Church, in Oneonta, NY. They were married until his death on Nov. 1, 2006. Fran and Roy met in college after he returned from WWII on the GI bill, and mistakenly went to her classroom. By profession, Fran was a Registered Professional Nurse, working at Ellenville Hospital and Ilion Hospital. She later became the School Nurse-Teacher at the Ilion Central School System, from 1952- 1983, until the job title was eliminated. She is fondly remembered in the many lives she touched at Barringer Road Elementary School.

She was a member of and held various offices at the North Columbia Methodist Church, Ilion, was a member of the NYS Registered Professional Nurse Assoc., past President of the Ilion Garden Club, past Officer and Director of the A.A.R.P. and member of Hartwick College Alumni Association. She gave generously to various environmental organizations and to the North Columbia Church. And dearly admired the former pastor Hans Drews.

Fran’s ultimate joy, awards, accomplishments and rewards were watching her three babies develop and mature into accomplished young men. Her children were her main focus in life, and she felt blessed as a mother. She instilled a love of learning and a work ethic in her children and rejoiced at their educational and professional achievements. She made every sacrifice to ensure their success, including helping with college expenses. Fran also enjoyed her Horticulture endeavors, nurturing plants of the earth and landscaping her property. One year she won best garden award for Ilion. Fran loved bird watching and said she would return as a bird to visit loved ones.

Surviving family members include her 3 sons, Ronald J. Edick and his wife, Carolyn, of Poughkeepsie, NY, Randall R. Edick and his wife, Debbi, of Denver, CO, and Lt. Col. Rudyard G. Edick, USAF (Ret), of Albany, NY; 4 grandsons, Maxwell (Kayden), Garrett and Calvin Edick (children of Ronald and Carolyn) and Christian Edick (son of Rudyard); her brother, Donald W. Traver and his wife, Margaret, of Kerhonkson, NY; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Roy in 2006; and her brother and sister-in-law, Vincent and Audrey Traver.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 12 noon to 1 pm., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY. A special Celebration of Fran’s life and Prayer Service will be held after visitation, on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 1 pm at the Funeral Home, officiated by her long time family friend and Celebrant, Don Applegate, by family request. Burial will follow at North Columbia Cemetery next to her husband, Roy.

To share a memory of Fran, or add to her online memorial, go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet.

In lieu of flowers, as a token of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to National Audubon Society (844-428-3826), World Wildlife Fund (202-293-4800) and Sierra Club (415-977-5500). Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.

Fran’s service arrangements were prearranged and will be supervised by the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, serving 4 generations of the Edick Family since 1933, Funeral Director and family friend, Don Applegate (315-895-7722).