Francine H. Heizer

 Francine (Fournier) Heizer, 79, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025 in Natick, Massachusetts after a two year battle with cancer.

 She was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on January 5, 1946, to Adrien and Helen (Gilbert) Fournier. She was the oldest of five children and married her true love, William “Bill” Heizer, in 1967. 

 Before settling down to raise a family, Francine was a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines and held a number of secretarial and hospitality-related positions in New England, Illinois and Florida, including Sanders Associates, Hatteras of Lauderdale, Computrend, Delphi Associates, Cambridge Memories, the Ritz Carlton of Chicago and Levi Lowell’s Restaurant. 

 Francine and Bill settled in Merrimack, NH where they raised their family and lived for over 40 years. Francine had moxie and grace. She was incredibly selfless, funny, loving and never lost her childlike sense of mischief. Francine was tough, overcoming two life-threatening illnesses. Whenever she encountered difficulty, she’d say “what a revolting development this is”, then “take back two and punt” and “keep a stiff upper lip”. She always told her daughters to “be true to yourself” and “follow your heart”. She loved the ocean, laughed often and devoted herself to caring for others, especially her beloved husband Bill. 

 Francine was predeceased by her parents; her two siblings, Ronald Fournier of New Hampshire and Diane Peterson of Florida; and her granddaughter Brooklyn Gridley of Wisconsin. 

 Francine is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill Heizer; her two daughters Jessica Heizer of Florida and Jennifer Gridley of Massachusetts as well as Jennifer’s spouse, Billy Gridley and their son Charlie Gridley; two siblings, Phyllis Ziakas of Virginia and Robert Fournier of Florida.

 SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A remembrance service will take place on Saturday, February 8th at 11am at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory at 1799 Elm Street in Manchester.

 The family requests that instead of sending flowers, gifts in memory of Francine Heizer may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in support of the Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program (CORE). Gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/. Please select “How to Give” and in the drop-down menu select “Make a Tribute Gift.” OR checks payable to MGH Cancer Center can be mailed to Bell Camelo in the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.