Frances Hunter dies, was former Ramapo councilwoman, school principal

Former Ramapo Councilwoman Frances Hunter, a retired school principal known for promoting diversity, died Friday morning at her home in Suffern. She was 84.

Hunter died from cancer. She had been brought home recently from Good Samaritan Hospital, friends say.

"She was energetic and dedicated to children and public service," said George Darden, a fellow educator and longtime politician who served as Spring Valley's mayor and as a county legislator. "She was a finisher. A lot of people are good starters but Fran would not stop until the project was done in a respectable way."

Hunter was known to be strict when it came to getting projects done and a taskmaster with her school staff and town employees. A Democrat, Hunter first won election to the Town Board in November 1987, serving for 24 years, until 2011.

She served with late Supervisor Herbert Reisman and current Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence.

She also served for decades as a town police commissioner, advocating for modern technology and training for the department, as well as pushing to diversify the predominately white, male force.

Hunter, who spent part of the year at a second home in Florida, was still serving as deputy police commissioner at the time of her death.

"Fran was a classy lady," St. Lawrence said. "She did incredible service to the town of Ramapo. She worked hard and loved our diverse community."

Darden, who first met Hunter at a Rockland Negro Scholarship function in 1966, said his friend shunned the public spotlight, preferring to help people without fanfare.

Hunter was a driving force behind the rehabilitation of a former adult movie theater in downtown Spring Valley into the Ramapo Cultural Arts Center. St. Lawrence said he will propose the building be named after Hunter. The center provides programs for children and the community, as well as some job training.

Ramapo Councilman Yitzy Ullman called Hunter "a real dedicated public servant."

He said she was a "peoples  person, and truly cared about every person. She will be greatly missed."

Hunter also was an important vote for the Ramapo baseball stadium, after voters originally rejected funding the facility. The bonding for the stadium more recently led to federal charges against St. Lawrence and the former deputy attorney Aaron Troodler, who ran the financial engine Ramapo Local Development Corporation. They've pleaded not guilty.

"She was dedicated to public service and children," St. Lawrence said. "I will miss her dearly. I am heartbroken."

Her funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at Sacred Heart Church, 125 Lafayette Ave., Suffern. Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Scarr Funeral Home, 160 Orange Ave., Suffern.

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