Tag: Fran Abeel

For many who grew up in Orlando, the memory of walking down Robinson Street for First Friday Mass at Saint James Cathedral is a special school memory. After church the kids had hot chocolate and donuts for breakfast in the St. James School cafeteria se ... Read more

Fran Abeel came to Orlando in 1947, because her husband, a disabled veteran, needed to live in a warm climate. Housing was scarce so for their first 2-3 years in Orlando, the Abeels lived in the Veterans Trailer Park. In this excerpt from an oral histo ... Read more

Fran Abeel shares her happy memories of boating on the St. Johns River, the community of St. James Cathedral and the wonderful life her family has here in Orlando. She recalls her boys learning to ski on the lake at the Sportsmen's Club, the group picnics ... Read more