OLD TOWN and WINTERPORT – Frances Sutvan Klitch died at a local hospital on Jan. 16, 2004, following a brief illness. She was born May 19, 1908, in Merchantville, N.J., the second daughter of Jehu Jones Sutvan and Sara Johnson Bishop Sutvan. At 10 years old and following the death of her mother, the family moved to Miami, Fla. Her father was employed by Mr. Panchost, a close friend and one of the developers of Miami Beach. This opened up a Miami relatively devoid of building. Driving her own Model T. riding horseback and on the beach and swimming long hours in the ocean, she enjoyed a Florida that has disappeared forever. After her secondary education, Frances went on to be a private secretary to Mr. John Collins, another developer of Miami Beach. She married Roy Klitch, a lifeguard and subsequent state police officer. Her father’s illness and the 28 hurricane moved the family north, first to Hammaton and then Stone Harbor, N.J., where their son, Leroy Klitch, was born. In 1937, she moved to Ramsey N.J. During the later part of the great depression, the Second World War and following years she was employed by the St. Paul Life Insurance Co. of New York City, retiring in 1962. After her older sister’s death, Martha Bishop Sutvan Paschall in 1963, she again moved north to Winterport, to be near her son’s family. She dearly loved the town, and was active in the Winterport Women’s Club, and the Winterport Methodist Church, where she enjoyed the friendship of her many friends. In 2000, she moved to Old Town, where she resided at the Marsh Island Apartments, where again, she developed new wonderful friends. Frances lived there until her recent illness. She is survived by her son, Roy Klitch and his wife, Carol, of Old Town; a former daughter-in-law, Janet Klitch of Old Town; a granddaughter, Betsy A. Shultz, and her husband, David; great-grandsons, Alden and Nelson Lavin; one grandson, Timothy Jay Klitch and his wife, Marjorie; great-grandchildren, Tony, Joel and Robin Klitch. A private family service will be held in the spring. Donations in her remembrance can be made to the charity of your choice.
FRANCES SUTVAN KLITCH
