FRANCES AT 89: She broke the glass ceiling- literally!

When people hear Frances Budd’s life story, they marvel at how she managed.

Frances is not comfortable with the praise. It seems unwarranted.

“I did what I had to do… what anyone would have done. I was suddenly a widow with three children.”

 When Frances was 35, her husband George unexpectedly died. The couple had been married just 16 years and had three children: a 12- year – old son who was just weeks away from his Bar Mitzvah; a daughter who turned 11 the week her dad died, and a 9 month-old baby girl.

It was a horrific time, and even some 55 years later, Frances prefers to limit the re-hashing. She knew at the time that she had to step up, and with the support of family and friends, she did what was required to move forward.

“My parents came over to take care of the kids, and they never left.”

 Knowing that her kids were in the best hands, Frances was able to take over her husband’s plate-glass business. It was a small company that was started by her father-in-law. Frances was no stranger to some aspects of the work. She loved the stories her husband would share about interesting customers. She knew the two men who were on staff, as well as the bookkeeper. What was completely unfamiliar was how to step in and run the show.

Frances broke the glass ceiling in her new position (pun definitely intended). She recalls only one other woman who ran a similar company.

Before her husband died, Frances had trained to be a math and science high school teacher. Once she stepped into the plate-glass world, she discovered that studying math, science and psychology were huge assets for growing her business.

She was quickly able to identify the glass specs on blueprints, which allowed her to be competitive when bidding for contracts.

She also had the unexpected advantage of having a first name that was not gender-specific. Naturally, she signed all the contracts with her full name. Prospective clients would follow up by telephone and ask to speak with “Frances.” They expected to hear a male voice and were momentarily confused when Frances explained that she was the party they were seeking.

Taking hold of the business, Frances discovered, was not unlike having a baby.

“I was in the job for 9 months when everything finally clicked. In a small business, the owner wears many hats.”

Frances prevailed. Not only was she able to save the company, Hub Glass continues to thrive today. It has remained a family-run business. The third generation – each of Frances’ children – has assumed management roles.

When Frances was 65, her family threw a retirement party in her honor. It would be another 10 years, however, before she was ready to completely step away from her desk.

Frances managed well on her own through the years. Yet, she welcomed the opportunity to once again enjoy life with a special partner.

Nearly 10 years after her husband’s death, Frances reconnected with Jerry, who had been the best man when she married George. The two men began their friendship at age four.

Frances and Jerry had many wonderful memories to share. When George was alive, the three had spent much time together. Frances had been determined to find a mate for Jerry and set up dates with each of her single friends. In retrospect, it was fortunate that her matchmaking efforts were unsuccessful. Jerry had never married. When the couple got back in touch with one another in 1973, they fell in love and enjoyed 39 years of marriage together.

Nine years ago, Frances and Jerry moved into NewBridge on the Charles, a continuing care retirement community south of Boston. They had decided to make this move long before the construction crews even broke ground. They were ready as soon as the complex opened, moving in on its second day.

Frances and Jerry’s primary objective for moving was to find a suitable alternative to a house that had become too big for their needs. They were immediately pleased with the choice they had made. Their new residence was a warm, comfortable community with activities and events that suited each of their interests.

These days, Frances continues to marvel at the brilliance of that decision. When Jerry died 3 years ago, she didn’t need to deal with the hassle of selling a home, unloading its contents, and moving to an unfamiliar place. They had already done this. She was well planted in the community and so grateful to be there.

When she took a bad fall several months ago, injuring her pelvis and hip, Frances didn’t have to worry about maneuvering stairs, finding someone to assist her, or traveling to physical therapy. Her residence was fully accessible. A skilled aide was available to help. The physical therapy clinic was located onsite.

“I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I was still in our house. We had stairs to climb and a household full of objects. I would feel like a prisoner if I was still in that space.”

 Instead, Frances can spend her time enjoying her interesting neighbors and an apartment that fits her lifestyle. The list of available activities is staggering. There is no shortage of wonderful ways to spend the day.

“We have excellent classes here. Tomorrow I’m starting a six-week course on the Gospels taught by a professor from a local college.”

 Frances flashes a broad smile. She’s ready to delve into an interesting topic in a community that offers countless reasons to welcome each tomorrow.