Oak Lawn Woman Turns 105

OAK LAWN, IL — Frances “Fran” Hood, the mother of five daughters and who never let distance keep her from travelling to any of her 10 grandchildren’s milestone events, celebrated her 105th birthday on Monday.

Born Sept. 19, 1917 and the oldest of 13 siblings, Fran spent much of her life in the Whiting, Indiana, area, where her husband, Harper, worked for Amoco.

Fran’s oldest daughter, Karen, passed away. Anonther daughter, Char, still lives in Whiting; and siblings Nancy and Gail both live in Missouri. Fran currently resides in Oak Lawn with her youngest daughter, Christine.

In addition to her 10 grandchildren, Fran counts 22 greats and four great-greats.

“I told her today that she was the best grandma,” her granddaughter, Elizabeth Sillasen, said. “She always supported her children and grandchildren.”

Sillasen recalls her grandmother shamelessly spoiled her grandchildren by buying them candy and other treats. “I’d ask her, ‘can we eat this now?’ and she’d reply, ‘I didn’t buy it for you to look at.’”

Fran enjoyed a 105th birthday breakfast at Worth Restaurant.