Obituary of Frances Arlene Paschal

Frances Arlene Paschal, formerly of LaGrangeville, NY, died peacefully on January 3, 2024, with her son Christopher by her side.

Born April 2,1946 in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Shirley and Alex Kozak, Fran graduated from Poughkeepsie High School before continuing on to college where she studied nursing.  In September 1966, Fran married her high school sweetheart, James W. Paschal, and the couple started their life together in Spain where Jim served in the Navy.  When his tour ended, Jim and Fran returned home to Poughkeepsie where they settled down to start a family.

In addition to being a devoted mother, Fran dedicated her life’s work to helping animals.  She turned her love and compassion for animals into a lifelong career spending more than three decades working at the Community Animal Hospital, Community Pet Center, Animal Emergency Clinic of the Hudson Valley and later went on to establish and open the Animal Emergency Clinic in Kingston, NY.  In retirement, Fran was committed to giving back to her community and volunteered her time with the Grace Smith House, a nonprofit that provides residential and non-residential services to victims of domestic violence.

What made Fran happiest in life was being surrounded by her friends and family – especially her loving husband Jim, her sons, Ryan, Chris and John, her seven grandchildren, and her sweet cat Louie.  Fran was known to provide light and life to those around her.  Her smile was infectious and her kindness was felt by all.  Everywhere she went, worked and lived, Fran was loved.

Fran is survived by her son Christopher James Paschal and his wife, Francesca of Saratoga Springs, and her son John Cunningham and his girlfriend Erin Brady of Tarrytown.  Also surviving are her grandchildren Juliana Ryan, Aria James, Nicole, Dominique, Victoria, Olivia, and John Jr., cousin Linda Satz, and several nieces and nephews.  Fran is predeceased by her husband Jim, her son Ryan, her grandson Marcus James, her brother Robert Kozak.... and Colby and Blair's beloved Pearson Jack.