News and Press Releases

Remembrances of Elsie Frank

From Beth Babcock, former Hearth President and CEO
Elsie was a truly remarkable woman who made the most of her "golden years" by contributing her considerable talents to the betterment of the world for the elderly. At an age when many individuals choose or are forced to slow down the pace of their activities, Elsie helped to start our organization and also served for 15 years as the President of the Massachusetts Association of Older Americans. She was a tireless and talented advocate for the needs of poor elders and was active in their behalf until almost her final days.

I had lunch with her just a few months ago and when she arrived in a bright red pantsuit for me to help her into my car; I complimented her only for her to say, "It's good to wear something that people will remember. I get a lot of compliments on this outfit!" That was Elsie, always making an impact. She spent the entire lunch talking about her children, grandchildren, and other policymakers with whom she had been chatting recently that I needed "...to make a point to get to know. So here's his card and I gave him yours." That was Elsie too, always working on our behalf, and always teaching us how to do it better. All of us here and I will sorely miss her. She was a wonderful teacher.