Elizabeth Franey, a resident of Springs for more than 50 years, died of cancer on June 25 at her home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was 85.
Known to friends as “Betty,” she loved East Hampton and strongly believed in giving back to her community.
She was born in New York City on November 30, 1922, to Lucille and Auguste Chardenet, who had emigrated from France in 1919. Her father worked as the room service manager at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
At the age of 8, she moved with her family to Lynbrook, where she graduated from high school in 1940. As a teenager, she spent her summers on the ocean beaches of Long Island with friends she remained close to up until her death.
During World War II, she supported her country by driving an ambulance for the armed forces based at Mitchell Field on Long Island. She later worked as a secretary.
In 1947, while traveling back from a summer in France with her parents, she met French chef Pierre Franey on the S.S. America. The couple married in 1948 at her parents’ home in Lynbrook and settled in Valley Stream. In the summer of 1954, Mr. Franey, then executive chef of Le Pavillon in New York City, was appointed executive chef at The Hedges restaurant in East Hampton and so the couple rented their first house on Gerard Drive and immediately fell in love with Springs and East Hampton.
At Mrs. Franey’s insistence, they bought a summer home on Gerard Drive and eventually moved year-round to a house on Old Stone Highway in 1977. During that time, Mr. Franey began writing his “60 Minute Gourmet” column for The New York Times and went on to star in five different cooking series on PBS and write more than 15 cookbooks. Mrs. Franey was by his side all the while, assisting him in all his work.
Mrs. Franey showed her commitment to her community in a variety of ways. She began by running a booth at the annual Fisherman’s Fair in Springs and went on to become its chairperson for several summers. She served as president of the Springs Improvement Society; as an East Hampton Town Trustee from 1984 to 1985; and as a founding member in 1964 of the Cape Gardiner Civic Association. In 1985, the Civic Association became known as the Accabonac Protection Committee, and Mrs. Franey continued her participation as an active member. She also participated in the publication of “Springs, A Celebration,” the history of Springs printed by the Springs Improvement Society.
She loved what the East End had to offer—swimming in Gardiner’s Bay and the ocean, hiking along the trails, bird watching, biking along Gerard Drive and planting in her garden and greenhouse. Her love of the arts knew no bounds and she regularly went to New York City to attend the ballet, opera, theater, museums and restaurants. She was a chef in her own right, cooking for her children while her husband worked in the restaurant.
According to the family, Mr. and Mrs. Franey traveled the world, ate in the finest restaurants, entertained in their home—a much sought-after dinner invitation—and spent much of their time with their children and family.
Predeceased by her husband in 1996, she is survived by three children, Jacques Franey of Amagansett, Diane Franey of East Hampton, and Claudia Franey Jensen of Larchmont; a brother, Gilbert Chardenet of Connecticut; seven grandchildren, Larissa Troy, Noelle Franey, Tanya Flagg, Denise Hendershot, Lucia Schaldenko, Nicholas Franey Jensen and Raphaelle Franey; and two great-grandchildren, Charlie Troy and Chase Flagg.
A graveside service was held on June 27 at Green River Cemetery in Springs, where she was buried alongside her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Accabonac Protection Committee, 956 Fireplace Road, East Hampton, NY 11937 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jun 30, 2008