Frances R. "Fran" Byers

Frances R. Byers, age 83, February 27, 2024, daughter of the late Joseph A. and Frances Hollihan Byers, sister of the late Carol Byers Coccagna, loving aunt of Carol M. Coccagna, and dear longtime friend of the late Marve Prowisor. Also survived by many cousins.

Fran was born in Philadelphia in 1940, graduated from St. Leonard's Academy, earned a BA in Mathematics from Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA, and a PhD in Educational Measurement and Research from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a computer programmer for Bell Telephone of PA and as a statistical assistant in the Office of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania where she received a fellowship for doctoral study there in Educational Measurement and Research. She began working in the School District of Philadelphia Office of Assessment while completing her PhD, and continued serving in various positions there in program evaluation, data analysis and the administration of large-scale testing programs in the public schools for 36 years.

While working, and particularly after retirement, Fran worked actively in both her church, St. Francis de Sales, and her University City community. She sang in the choir, organized flea markets and assisted in many projects to help the church as well as St. Francis de Sales School, from which she graduated. She often wrote articles for the neighborhood newspaper about church and community happenings. She served for decades on the board of directors for the Spruce Hill Community Association as well as the Friends of Clark Park, for both of which she also served several terms as President. She organized several events that became community traditions, like "Bark in the Park", Veterans Day commemoration at the Gettysburg stone in Clark Park, Christmas caroling in Clark Park by candlelight and co-chaired the annual Charles Dickens birthday party. She was Secretary of the Police District Advisory Council for the 18th District and organized monthly meetings in which members of the Police Department and the University City District met with community members to discuss matters of neighborhood concern. She served on the local election board and later as Judge of Elections for many decades. She was Secretary, then Treasurer, of the condo association at the shore for many years where she and her family enjoyed vacationing.

Dr. Byers' family will receive friends on Thursday March 7th at St. Francis de Sales Church from 6:30 to 7:30PM followed immediately by her Funeral Mass. Interment will take place Friday March 8th at 1:00PM at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Fran's name be made to St. Francis de Sales School, 917 S. 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, St. Francis de Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave. Philadelphia PA 19143, or the Carmela Terlingo Cancer Fund.