Brussels-born woman survived German occupation and followed American airman to the States
Francine Louise Dissinger passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2020. Born in Brussels on October 3, 1942, during the German occupation of Belgium, Francine was the only daughter of Lucien and Marthe Coulise. While her early years were marked by the trials and hardships of living during the height of a World War, Francine experienced a loving childhood equally immersed in both the Walloon and Flemish cultures of her beloved home country. A free-spirited youth who would occasionally interrupt a school class with her antics, Francine was once hushed and chastised by fellow student, Anne Appels. That moment was to be the unlikely start of a legendary friendship that would not wane for their entire lives. As a young woman, Francine met the love of her life when he quite literally fell out of the sky into her life. During a parachuting demonstration in Spa, Belgium, an American airman landed astray when his main parachute canopy failed to deploy and he relied on his less maneuverable reserve chute. Francine was among the local search party to locate him, and it was love at first sight. In months they were wed and blessed with two children, Isabelle and Chris. In 1968, Francine — a lifelong traveler — courageously embarked on her next big adventure, moving to America with her young family. First residing in Baltimore, Md., she realized her dream of moving to the country in a few short years when — in New Windsor, Md. — she and Jack purchased an old farmhouse in need of a loving hand. Francine had an extraordinary talent in designing and creating both interiors and clothing. Always working with a meager budget, she could tailor couture from curtains and transform a room with abandoned remnants. Unforgettable with her impish smile, her lilting French accent and a bright twinkle in her eye, Francine delighted everyone she met with her easy and spirited manner, her zest for the simple pleasures of life, and her voracious appetite to learn and experience new things. As a mother, she was loving, generous and ever thoughtful. She lived frugally and saved earnestly to be able to send her family back to Belgium every two years to visit her parents and friends, and to expose her children to the wonders and joys of traveling — a passion they retain to this…
Brussels-born woman survived German occupation and followed American airman to the States
Francine Louise Dissinger passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2020. Born in Brussels on October 3, 1942, during the German occupation of Belgium, Francine was the only daughter of Lucien and Marthe Coulise. While her early years were marked by the trials and hardships of living during the height of a World War, Francine experienced a loving childhood equally immersed in both the Walloon and Flemish cultures of her beloved home country. A free-spirited youth who would occasionally interrupt a school class with her antics, Francine was once hushed and chastised by fellow student, Anne Appels. That moment was to be the unlikely start of a legendary friendship that would not wane for their entire lives. As a young woman, Francine met the love of her life when he quite literally fell out of the sky into her life. During a parachuting demonstration in Spa, Belgium, an American airman landed astray when his main parachute canopy failed to deploy and he relied on his less maneuverable reserve chute. Francine was among the local search party to locate him, and it was love at first sight. In months they were wed and blessed with two children, Isabelle and Chris. In 1968, Francine — a lifelong traveler — courageously embarked on her next big adventure, moving to America with her young family. First residing in Baltimore, Md., she realized her dream of moving to the country in a few short years when — in New Windsor, Md. — she and Jack purchased an old farmhouse in need of a loving hand. Francine had an extraordinary talent in designing and creating both interiors and clothing. Always working with a meager budget, she could tailor couture from curtains and transform a room with abandoned remnants. Unforgettable with her impish smile, her lilting French accent and a bright twinkle in her eye, Francine delighted everyone she met with her easy and spirited manner, her zest for the simple pleasures of life, and her voracious appetite to learn and experience new things. As a mother, she was loving, generous and ever thoughtful. She lived frugally and saved earnestly to be able to send her family back to Belgium every two years to visit her parents and friends, and to expose her children to the wonders and joys of traveling — a passion they retain to this…