Fran Crowley

Frances Marie Crowley, commonly known as "Fran Crowley", is a fictional character on the television series, Mama's Family. She was portrayed by Rue McClanahan during the show's first two seasons.

Character history

Fran is the uptight spinster younger sister of acid-tongued Thelma Harper. At first, she was the only one living with Thelma, until the arrival of her nephew, Vinton Harper and his children, Vinton "Buzz" Harper, Jr. and Sonja Harper. She was a reporter for one of Raytown's newspapers, "The Bugle". She was also a budding author, and had her own writing studio, which had been yanked from her by Thelma who needed the room for Sonja. (The room had originally belonged to Ellen Harper and Eunice Harper Higgins, Vinton's older sisters.)

At times, Fran had felt that her privacy had been invaded because of Vint and his family moving in, namely because Sonja had read her manuscript. Another particular cross was that she had to share a bathroom with the kids. At least, Buzz kept his things in an orderly fashion, and for this won favor from Fran; while Sonja was a typical teenager, messy and earning more wrath from Fran.

Fran always looked like that she was one step away from a nervous breakdown, and she often stood up to her opinionated sister. At times though, she would unbend, and let her hair down and have some fun. She showed this side of herself when she indulged in some wine at the wedding preparations for Vint and Naomi Oates. Also, when she chaperoned Sonja's slumber party when Thelma was out of town.

However, after two years, (and because Rue McClanahan and Betty White, who played Ellen, had been asked to join the cast of The Golden Girls), Fran had died as a result of swallowing a toothpick in the ladies room at the local bar and grill, The Bigger Jigger. Her room eventually went to her great nephew, Bubba Higgins, which caused Vint and Naomi great consternation, since they had been angling for that room.

Fran Crowley's Last Will and Testament

After Fran's funeral in "Farewell Frannie", it was later revealed in "Where There's a Will" that she left a last will and testament and Thelma contacted the executor of Fran's last will and testament, Larwin P. Finstadler. According to Finstadler, Fran Crowley was worth an estimated $35,000 dollars through six bank accounts, stock and land holdings.

• 10% of her estate is set aside for her favorite charity, the Ray of Hope Home for Wayward Girls. ($3,500)
• To her sister Thelma Harper, she is bequeathed half of the remainder of her estate. ($15,750)
• To her nephew Vint Harper and niece-in-law Naomi Harper, they are bequeathed half of the remainder of her estate. ($15,750)
• Eunice is omitted.

There is one stipulation that Thelma must fill out Fran's one final wish: which is to not lose her temper for a period of 2 weeks. If she fails, which she did, the entire estate goes to the Ray of Hope Home for Wayward Girls.