Francesca C Hartnett

Francesca Theresa Campbell Hartnett of Plattsburgh died peacefully on December 9, 2022.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 3, 1926 to Jesse Todd Campbell and Johanna (Helfentsrieder) Campbell, she had an active, happy childhood in what was called the “Dutch Hill” neighborhood. Her daily life included the company of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. As a child she saw firsthand how ingenuity and mutual aid lifted communities through difficult times. Some of her best childhood memories were trips to Estes Park, CO with her Aunt Pauline, a teacher and naturalist, and time spent with other female role models. She attended Westport High School and Junior College before leaving home to earn her Bachelor of Nursing degree at St. Louis University.

After college, she met her husband-to-be William Hartnett in a Catholic discussion group. They married in 1950 and made geographic moves in support of Bill’s PhD and career: West Lafayette IN, Lawrence KS, Worcester MA, and Newton Highlands, MA. Their first three children arrived during their Midwest years, the next three in their New England years. In Massachusetts, Cesca formed strong bonds with other “faculty wives” and like-minded people. The Boston area remained in her heart and she returned regularly.

The Hartnetts moved to Plattsburgh in 1968 when Bill joined the PSUC Math Dept. She worked part-time as a night nurse at the college infirmary. Early in their North Country years, Bill and Francesca hosted SUNY international students. They opened their home frequently, creating a warm and inviting household on Brinkerhoff Street where ideas would be exchanged over wine, cheese, and music. Folks would stop by after visiting the YMCA or library. Francesca’s open, practical ways struck a chord with many who claimed her as their surrogate Mom, aunt, or sister. She made friends easily and kept in touch well. Her laughter was infectious as she reveled in others’ company.

Francesca and her family began regular Mass attendance at the John XXIII Newman Center when the church was under construction. There she found others who opposed war and worked on progressive and feminist social causes. She served on the Parish Council and discussion groups and offered hospitality to newcomers or people in need. Some of these chance encounters led to long-term friendships.

Cesca enjoyed working at rural health care clinics in Mineville and Westport followed by years at Smith House (Willsboro). In the mid-1970s, Cesca earned her Family Nurse Practitioner certification from UVM at a time when Nurse Practitioners’ roles were not recognized or codified in New York. With a group of dedicated nurse practitioners, she lobbied the state legislature for passage of Nurse Practitioner legislation. She witnessed Chapter 257 being added to the New York State Laws of 1988. She worked for Planned Parenthood and the Clinton County Health Dept., and was honored by her peers with a lifetime achievement award in 2007. Active in Sigma Theta Tau, she was 1987 President of the Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, and helped start a Plattsburgh Area Nurse Practitioners interest group. She once traveled to the Dominican Republic to provide volunteer nursing at clinics.

Her volunteer causes included the League of Women Voters, Meals on Wheels, the local Democratic party, the Human Potential/ consciousness raising movement, domestic violence advocacy, support for families of the incarcerated, and aging with dignity. She loved music, the arts, and lifelong learning, and served as a Trustee of the Plattsburgh Public Library. She was appointed to the City Council by Mayor Dan Stewart to serve out an empty seat and ran unsuccessfully in a tightly contested race for a second term. She had a strong ethic of civic engagement.

Cesca loved the United States and our state and national parks. She made multiple trips to Maine – and years of weekly trips to Mainely Lobster, a local restaurant, with her son, Tim. She traveled to England, Germany, Romania, Panama, Mexico, and took a memorable trip to Japan with her daughter Marita.

In her 70s, she rented her basement bedroom to SUNY nursing students and enjoyed learning about their lives. In her 80s she was assisted as needed by her family, friends, and in-home helpers. In her 90s, she finally obtained her Lake Champlain view property with a move to Pine Harbour Assisted Living. The Hartnett family would like to thank the staff and residents of Pine Harbour for their caring support of Francesca for six and a half years, and the staff at CVPH and Meadowbrook for care in her final days.

Francesca was preceded in death by her parents, Bill in 1993, son Timothy in 2020, and her two brothers who died in infancy. Left to carry forward her memory are children Michaela Armstrong, Marita Hartnett, Seana Remillard (Patrick), Jonathan Hartnett, and Cassandra Hartnett (Marianne Taylor); grandchildren Rubin Remillard (Blakeley), Eli Remillard (Linda Yu), and Alexandra Hartnett; and great-grandchildren Titania and Rin Remillard.

In Francesca’s memory, please consider donating to the Tim Hartnett Endowed Scholarship at http://www.alumni.plattsburgh.edu/timhartnett.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Newman Center in Plattsburgh, 90 Broad St., with social hour to follow.

Zoom link for those who cannot attend in person:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8658190429?pwd=QXk3SWtpUjcxdnhCcG5QWVk2VVcvUT09

Meeting ID: 865 819 0429
Passcode: francesca

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St. in Plattsburgh. (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.