Volunteer Spotlight: Fran Zickes

Saturdays are a great day to shop! Especially because you will get to meet Fran! Fran Zickes has been working in our thrift shop for 13 years — and will happily give you exceptional service with a smile! Fran started at the Senior Center working in the Cafe. She did that for about 6 months before she moved to the shop which she found to be more fun! Fran was retired, and wanted to find something to do with her time — and her husband was volunteering here for Meals on Wheels and roped her in too!

She has worked with 2 shop managers before Aylene (our current manager). Fran says Aylene is wonderful to work with; she is so supportive, so dedicated and truly a pleasure to work with. The irony is, that Aylene would use these same words to describe working with Fran. Above all, Fran’s favorite part of volunteering in the shop, is the customers, “I learn a lot from them” she says. Fran loves seeing all the donations — she says she’s not a shopper, but when she shops, it’s at the Stop ‘N Shop! “Most of my wardrobe is from here,” says Fran.

Fran was working as a flight attendant in 1970, when she transferred from Chicago to Seattle. She grew up in Southern California. After flying around, Fran began working in education as an instructional assistant. She worked in public and private schools locally in West Seattle for almost 15 years. Fran has spent the last 50 years in Seattle! She will also be celebrating 50 years of marriage to her husband Bon this year! They met on a ski mountain in Spokane, he was in the Air Force. They have one son, but no grandchildren (yet).

Fran shared on of her memorable life changing events, and that was when she went to Liberia to visit a friend in the Peace Corps. She spent 2 weeks there, and will never forget how happy the people were, even though they had so little. This humbling experience has stuck with her throughout her life.

Fran also spends time helping to keep Alki beach clean, and she has been donating blood since the 80s. She plays gold year-round and is in the Ladies Club at the West Seattle Golf Course. She also plays volleyball, does yoga and walks every day.

Fran loves volunteering here, and she truly enjoys the people she works with. Fran, we salute you and your long term dedication to the Senior Center!