Little Martin lost an angel
Those of you older than dirt will remember the name Frances Langford. Frances Langford Evinrude Stuart was a Florida girl who made it big in Hollywood, appearing on television, in more than 30 films as a comedic actress, and headlining around the world as a talented singer.
During World War II and Korea, she was part of Bob Hope's traveling USO show that flew wherever needed to entertain the troops. But as Florida was always in her heart, she settled down in Little Martin after all of her success and began another career, a career of helping people.
Yesterday, this remarkable
lady left us at the age of 92, but not before leaving her mark indelibly etched on the county and in the hearts of tens of thousands of people. Ms. Langford-Stuart not only donated millions to charitable and civic organizations, she donated her time to such endeavors and used her friendship with the likes of Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour to further her philanthropic efforts.
Those local organizations that benefited from her generosity included the Second Sight Taping for the Blind, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Oceanographic Society, Little Martin High School, Conservation Alliance, area art and music festivals, and Little Martin Memorial Hospital. Those local residents who personally benefited from her giving are too numerous to name, and couldn't be named anyway due to her penchant for anonymously helping families and individuals in need.
But Frances wasn't just another pretty Hollywood face, oh no. This remarkable woman was also a successful restaurateur, marina operator, and record-setting sport-fisher. She was a down-home, have-a-cup-of-coffee-and-chat, humble, gracious neighbor.
Hollywood just doesn't make them like Frances Langford any more - yesterday we lost an angel.