Byron News: A century of life celebrated for Frankie

Monday was the 100-year birthday celebration for Frankie Cozzens. 

Frankie was married to my uncle Dave Cozzens. I have known her for many of those hundred years. 

She took pride in a well-kept yard, and that actually was a bit of a downfall for her. After that bad hailstorm that hit the area a few years ago, Frankie was out picking branches off her lawn. She did have a short fuse when it came to putting things off. When she saw things that needed to be done, she wanted it done now. She was demanding of herself. During that branch pick up, she fell and broke her hip.

Up until that time she was walking every day down to the post office and around the neighborhood in Cowley. The injury and following surgery took its toll, and she began using a walker for her safety. Eventually, it became necessary for her to move to her current home at New Horizons Care Center. 

Her daughters, Leslie and Andrea, hosted a Royal Purple Party for their mom. Frankie always has a smile and keeps her now white hair looking beautiful in curls framing her face. She has macular degeneration, so it is hard for her to identify her family and friends, and she does a good job of dealing with a memory that is fading. Her sense of humor is still there. 

When I asked her how she is doing, she said, “Sometimes I feel like a nut.” We laughed, and she tried her best to place exactly where I fit in her past.

She led an active life, which must be part of why she has earned her years still here with us. A century of living. What a wonderful milestone. Happy birthday, Aunt Frankie. 

Memorial Day looked festive here in Byron. Thanks to the town guys for the beautiful flags at Memorial Park and the new 250th year sign from the citizens group. The cemetery is always breathtaking with the many large flags on every soldier’s gravesite. The program by the American Legion was nice, with the addition of music from the Lovell High School choir. Their selection of songs was stirring, and they did a beautiful job singing them a cappella.

I was sorry to hear that, due to the lack of help and volunteers, this may be the last year for these beautiful tributes on Memorial morning. We can’t let that happen. Who is willing to step up?