Frances (“Franny” or “Fagie”) Swaller Friedman, 96, died May 24. She was predeceased by her husband of 78 years, “The Carpet King” Eddy Friedman, who died in 2021. Born on Barbour Street in Hartford, CT, Franny (Fagie) was the daughter of Sarah and Phillip Swaller. She was a graduate of Weaver High School in 1945. Fran was a wonderful wife and mom, and much more. As an early subscriber to Ms. Magazine and a volunteer at Planned Parenthood, she was an iconoclast, irreverent, a questioner, and an inspiration to everyone. While her kids were in elementary school, she started her journey toward a higher degree. She took courses part-time at the University of Connecticut while also helping to run the family carpet business. Franny later transferred to the University of Hartford (so she could take care of her ill father) and graduated in 1975 with a joint degree in Spanish and French. Fran was a student all her life, curious and intellectual until her final breath. She took opera and art history classes, was passionate about classical music and was a prolific reader. Doing crossword puzzles was her sport and she could complete the NYT crossword and Double Crostic in record time even in her final years. She had panache and great style, with a face and figure that could rival any Hollywood actress. Franny and Eddy spent virtually every moment together for 74 years, catching plays in New York, traveling the world, going on weekly rides, splitting sandwiches every day and doing impersonations of characters from Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. A Hartford Courant article written about Ed and Fran commemorating their 70th wedding anniversary said they “kissed at a New Year’s party and that was it. It was love at first kiss.” Fran is survived by her children, Mitch, Bruce and Karen; her daughter-in-law Arline; her niece-daughter Donna; her nephew and his family; several cousins; her lifetime best friend Rho; and other friends. She was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Annie.