The entire Fordham Law community is mourning the death of Frances M. Blake ’45, a director emeritus of the Law School’s Alumni Association. Blake, who just celebrated her birthday last month, passed away on Oct. 10 at the age of 97.
Former Assistant Dean at Fordham Law School Robert J. Reilly had maintained an ongoing friendship with Blake since 1984, talking with her on the phone and exchanging Christmas cards every year. He elaborated on her deep-set roots with the school and her long-lasting impact within the academic and alumni communities. “Fordham Law was very much a part of her life,” Reilly said. “Alumni Presidents would come and go, but Frances stayed in position.”
Blake was the daughter of Isabel Blake and Professor John A. Blake, a long-time, full-time Fordham Law faculty member who had graduated from the Law School in 1916. She was the first hired executive director of the Fordham Law Alumni Association (FLAA), serving in the position for more than 20 years until her retirement in 1986. During her tenure, the Alumni Directory was first issued and the association grew into one of the largest dues-paying law alumni groups in the country. Blake also helped organize and run meetings, quarterly luncheons, and the annual Christmas parties, held in various campus, midtown, and downtown locations. She served as Director Emeritus of the FLAA for many years and had been the oldest living director.
“Frances would get the job done, even though there were all [these]complex things to do like seating arrangements for giant dinners and luncheons,” Reilly said. “She had a wonderful rapport with people and was a constant, welcoming face to any event you ever went to.”
Before receiving her degree at Fordham Law under the accelerated two-year program, she attended Rosemont College. She later served as an assistant to the New York State Board of Law Examiners, grading thousands of bar exams during multiple summers.
Blake’s sister Barbara Dallas, four nieces, 11 great nieces and nephews, and 15 great-great nieces and nephews survive her.
Her wake will be held this Monday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Horn & Thomes Funeral Home (83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY). For directions to the funeral home, visit hornandthomesfuneralhome.com. The funeral mass will be held the following day, Oct. 15, at St. John the Evangelist Church (39 East Main Street, Pawling, NY) at 10 a.m.