Frances Ruley Karttunen grew up on Nantucket and is a graduate of the Nantucket Public Schools. As she entered her teens, her mother became disabled by multiple sclerosis, and Fran was her mother’s primary caregiver. When she left for college, her mother became a resident of Our Island Home. After an academic career, Fran returned full-time to Nantucket with her husband, Alfred Crosby, in 1999. A year later Al was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He held his own against PD, with Fran once again a primary caregiver, until 2015, when he became a resident of Our Island Home. At OIH Fran was present and advocating for Al daily for two and a half years, while she also volunteered in the activities program. After Al’s passing she continued as a volunteer until COVID closed the doors of OIH. She joined Alison as vice president of the Friends of Our Island Home and continues as a board member, advocating for the residents and taking on responsibility for the annual OIH Staff Appreciation t-shirts.