Frances Baum, of Laguna Woods, CA, died on January 30, 2021 after a long illness with her family at her side.
Fran was born in Princeton, NJ, to parents Paul and Eunice Urken. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in religion and then earned a master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College in New York City. She taught elementary school for many years. As a young single woman she traveled to Italy, enjoyed Manhattan folk music clubs and drove an MG convertible. She married Burton Baum, a chemist, in Princeton, in 1965. It only rained one day that summer, the day of their outdoor wedding, but they had a wonderful marriage. Rain turned to snow when they later moved to Mendota Heights, MN and they finally came to California to enjoy the sunshine, retiring in Laguna Woods Village in 2004.
Fran had a remarkable number of friends. She kept in touch with childhood friends throughout her lifetime, and added many more through the years. Fran had a great variety of interests. She especially loved cooking and made incredible meals for her family and friends. She also enjoyed bridge, gardening, dancing, reading, the arts, travel and was active in various Jewish women’s organizations. At Laguna Woods Village, she became a clown, named Copy Cat, sang with the Harmonaires, danced with the Rock-n-Rollers and played with the Bridge Club. She was an active member of the National Council of Jewish Women and the Reform Temple, as well as a strong supporter of South County Outreach.
Fran leaves her loving husband Burton, after 55 years of marriage, her son Paul of San Francisco, CA, her daughter Julie of St. Paul, MN, her brothers Arnold Urken of Washington DC, and Irv Urken of Princeton, NJ, and six nieces and nephews.
Funeral services and burial were private at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.A virtual memorial service is being planned for a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to South County Outreach, the Myositis Association (myositis.org) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
I was so sorry to hear about Fran’s passing. She was a truly lovely person and I feel honored we were neighbors in snowy Minnesota for so many years. May her memory be a blessing.
Janice
I remember working with Fran in St. Paul and was so sorry to hear of her passing. May she rest in eternal peace.
Julie, Mr. Baum, and Paul, I am so sorry to read about the death of your wife and dear mother. Julie, I know how much you love your family. I am so sorry. Losing a mother is so hard. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. When the pandemic calms down. We must get together. May the memories of you wife and mother heal your hurting hearts. Take good care of yourselves!
Mary Connelly,
Friend of Julie
Beautiful obituary for a lovely person. We will miss her friendship (And her wonderful baked goods!) She participated in so many activities here in Laguna Woods Village. Her passing is a loss for the whole community.
Please accept our condolences
My sympathies to your family.
I remember her as Miss Urken… the best, and most fun, teacher any fourth grader at Nassau Street School could have. I see from the photo above that she retained that sweet smile and those understanding eyes that I remember from my youth. She was such a positive influence on kids… the Princeton Regional Schools were so lucky to have her on board. Requiescat in pace…
The Urkens lived at the top of Harriet Drive in Princeton – our family a few houses down. I knew Fran as the older sister of Irv, whom I knew a bit better. However, when Fran was ready to dispose of her beloved 1963 MG-B convertible (mentioned in the obituary), I was the one who bought it (for $400). My first car. I drove it into the ground, but enjoyed many road trips in my 20s, with the top down, even in the winter. The MG was imbued with Fran’s spirit and, thus, we will always be connected. My condolences to family and loved ones from a Princeton child – I, too was a student at Nassau Street School, per Frank’s note above.
Fran was a great teacher and a wonderful colleague at Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School. So many of her former students have talked to me about their fond memories of Fran. That is what it means to make the world better.