Frances Rothenberg Goran
Frances Rothenberg Goran, an Alamo resident, died July 23 in Alamo, surrounded by her family.
She was born on April 24, 1908, in the Bronx, N.Y. She taught at P.S. 81 for 30 years and was also its first school librarian. She was one of the founders of the Child Study Association of America and participated in the Brandeis Women’s Group in Riverdale, N.Y. She spent many summers attending classes, the opera and the symphony. Even in her 80s, she continued to take classes in art, music, history and psychology.
When she moved to California at the age of 86, she made a new group of friends. She had a flair for art and entertaining, and her home was filled with unique pieces she collected on her travels. She was also a great humanitarian working toward making the world a more peaceful place, campaigning against war and the use of nuclear weapons.
She was predeceased by her husband Benjamin Goran. She was the mother of Michelle Gabbay Towery (O.B.) and Jeanie Goran Schkritz (Nick). She is also survived by her beloved grandsons Jacob Towery (Ellen), and Alex Towery; granddaughter, Kate Towery Yates (Duncan). Additional survivors include her nephews, Martin, Michael, Paul and Robert Mermelstein; and niece, Abigail Champagne; as well as her beloved friends.
Heather (Fraser) Sprung
Heather (Fraser) Sprung, a resident of Martinez, passed away suddenly in Graeagle, Calif., on July 24. She was raised in Alamo and was a graduate of San Ramon Valley High School and Cal State Hayward. She was active in the Danville Junior Horsemen and had a lifelong love of animals.
She had a wide variety of jobs throughout Contra Costa County and was renowned for her upbeat personality and winning smile. She married Larry Sprung of Martinez in October 2005 at sunset on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
She is survived by her husband, Larry; his three children, Courtney, Trevor and Kyle; her father, John; her sister, Kim; and grandmother, Elinor Fraser, all of Alamo; and a menagerie of cats, dogs and horses. A celebration of her life was held Aug. 3. Donations may be made to the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300, Bethesda MD 20814.
