Mary E. Frison

Mary E. Frison, 93, of Ft. Collins passed away in her home November 15, 2011 following a brief illness. Mary was born in Manvel, North Dakota to John and Essie Copps on September 17, 1918, the second of six children. Following graduation from business school she moved to Washington, D.C. in 1940 where she worked for the Office of Scientific Research and Development at the Carnegie Institute. While working there, she met her husband, Bob, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. They were married in Grand Forks, North Dakota on September 1, 1947 and moved to Fort Collins, where he attended CSU. Bob and Mary owned and operated "Operation Electric" a retail appliance store in Old Town for 35 years. They were active in local charities and civic organizations and supported the renovation of downtown Fort Collins in becoming the present "Old Town." In 1983, they purchased Poudre City Resort in Poudre Canyon and welcomed guests there until their retirement in 1988. Mary was known to many in Fort Collins for her love of the game of bridge, which she played as recently as a month before her death. Mary became an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church upon her arrival in Ft. Collins. She served in many positions in the church as well as in the St. Joseph's school where her children attended. Mary is survived by her three daughters, Jeanette, Mary Jo, and Annelle. She also leaves seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, one sister, Helen Jevtic of Manteca California, and her sister-in-law, Joan McChesney who resides in Ft. Collins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; son, Bobby; and grandson, Zach; sister, Alice; brothers, Walter, Ernest and Eugene; and her first husband Peter Tarbay who died in WWII. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her honor on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by a luncheon in the church. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Monday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. Contributions may be made in her name to the Food Bank of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W Olive St. Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524.