Frank Foran’s sister, Leisa

Frank Foran is one of my best friends. We’ve known each other since the early seventies. If any of you are familiar with the Foran name, his father and grandfather were New Jersey state senators. His father, Walter, has roads and state buildings named after him. He was a great guy and I am very proud to have known him. Back in the early eighties, I sketched a portrait of the senator and his wife, Anne, now 88 years old. Frank’s uncle, Dick Foran, was a Hollywood actor and singing cowboy.

I have written about some of my experiences with Frank. They are all humorous stories because Frank is a very funny man. My favorite one is about our trip to a gay bar with his (then) wife’s very gay friend. Our women made us go.

I remember Frank’s sister from many years ago. Although I didn’t know Leisa all that well, I did get to know her and her husband, Jeff, from various parties and dinners Frank had at his home and since Frank was such a good friend, I always looked at Leisa as, sort of, kind of, like, family.

A little over 2 years ago, she was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts. Sunday evening, Leisa lost her very gallant fight with the disease. I spoke with Frank on Sunday afternoon. He was driving home to NJ from her home in Bethesda, Maryland, when he called. He drove down that morning, sensing the end might be near. Frank and I talked about Leisa during the 27 months she lived with the disease. I often thought of her and said a little prayer. We certainly talked about her that day.

Leisa’s husband chronicled her disease and subsequent therapy on a blog he created specifically for that purpose. Occasionally, I left a word or two of encouragement. Usually though, I made sure Frank would give her my best when they spoke. I have kept a link to that site on my blogroll since he put it up and it shall remain there in honor of her. If you have the time, please go to Jeff’s site and read a few of the posts. You don’t have to leave a comment. No, that is not necessary. I think you will learn a little about Leisa and what a great guy her husband is. What I remember most from knowing him many years ago and from what I’ve read, is that he has a great sense of humor and he has kept it throughout this ordeal.

Leisa is resting now. Frank says he and his family are taking her death rather well, considering all she went through. I called him today after reading Jeff’s latest posts. Frank told me his mother thought a miracle would happen, right up to the end. No parent wants to lose a child.

No child wants to lose their mother. My deepest sympathies go out to Jeff, Raegan and Sean and to Leisa’s mother and two brothers.

She touched a lot of hearts.