[Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz

[Sally D. Arrivee]

I was introduced to Fran by my director, Frank Hemphill, when I was head of Children's Services at Portage Public (now District) Library. Her good humor, wise council and friendship is something I've cherished all my professional career of now 40+ years. She mentored me in the ways of getting a bill passed, understanding who and who not to work with in the legislature (that after some seven years on MLA's legislative committee), and library politics in general. I was fortunate enough to keep in touch with her all these years and now will regret not getting up to Charlevoix to see her last summer. 

Fran was indeed the First Lady of Libraries in Michigan and had a sterling reputation nationally as well. The trips to Dallas where we dubbed her Sarge and Momma Pletz, the one trip to San Francisco where she booked the wrong hotel, but was caught in time and saved the day, sharing Mr. Wilson's bedroom and fabulous shower at a MLA leadership conference one year, and learning how to get relief from sore feet after walking all over Capitol Hill at a national Legislative Day are just some of the happy and funny times I had with Fran Pletz. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. 

Sally Arrivee 
Head Reference Librarian 
Madison Heights Public Library 

----- Original Message -----

Indeed it is sad news.... she was an amazing lady, board member and friend to all, and the queen of library friends and supporters. I am not sure how I would have managed as a board member if I had not had Fran to sit next to and learn from at those first years of meetings. She educated me on how to be the best board member I could be.... but I couldn't begin to be as good as she was. I know that I am not the only person she mentored and befriended either.... she will be dearly missed. 

Bettina Graber 


On 12/5/2013 1:23 PM, Robertson, Nancy (MDE) wrote: 

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