We’re saddened to report the recent passing of Francine ‘Fran’ Coombs of Nashua, a former volunteer with the Aviation Museum.
Fran was deeply involved with the museum for a time during and after the pandemic, especially right after we re-opened in the summer of 2020 and had a hard time filling shifts.
Fran had no background in aviation, but learned of our organization through the online ‘Around the World Flight Adventure’ program we were running while we were closed during the pandemic, and came to the Aviation Museum to offer her help.
Fran frequently worked the front desk on Saturdays and sometimes brought in her pet tortoise (named “Potemkin”) to keep her company during shifts, and also to show off to surprised visitors.
She donated one of the two Christa McAuliffe commemorative silver dollars that are displayed in the front of the museum. (The other was from Dean Kamen.)
She also used her immaculate penmanship to hand-address 1,600 letter solicitations to registered pilots in our first attempt at “vintage airmail stamps” mailing, taking much of the work home with her and doing it while watching TV.
She wasn’t with us for a long time, but she made a heck of an impression. We’ll miss you, Fran!
Her full obituary is available online.
Below, a few photos of Fran at the Aviation Museum with Potemkin, her pet tortoise.
