Fran fell in love with Houston’s can do attitude and positive spirit visiting her sisters, before accepting a position as a Houston TV anchor and reporter. She has won many an award for her reporting and anchoring. But, it was Houston native, Philip Peterson, who kept her here. Fran and Philip had 25 wonderful years together, traveling, scuba diving and helping various charities. Philip was President of the MacDonald-Peterson Foundation. The Houston Symphony was dear to Philip as his great aunt, Mrs. Edwin Parker, was the first President of the Houston Symphony Society, and his aunt, Drusilla Huffmaster, debuted as a pianist at age 14. Fran served on the executive board of the Houston Symphony, is currently a trustee, and member of the Houston Symphony League. Fran and Philip Chaired Opening Night and the Symphony Ball.
With her Master’s Degree in theater, extensive public speaking experience, Fran found emceeing a talent she could contribute, so whenever a charity asked for her assistance (especially during her 30-year television career) she always said, “Yes!” Organizations she and Philip helped in one capacity or another include Rodeo Houston, The Salvation Army, Wellsprings, The Southern Dominican Province, Open Door Mission, Opera in the Heights, The Menninger Clinic, The American Heart Association, University of Houston Law School, Northwest Assistance Ministries, The Press Club of Houston, The Junior Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, The University of Houston Moores School of Music, and many more. Fran has helped many school’s read-a-thon and DARE programs. She was named an ABC-Channel 13 Woman of Distinction and was honored by the Women’s Home.
Fran continues to give to Houston, now helping The Center for Houston’s Future, the think tank associated with The Greater Houston Partnership, serving on the Board of The Huffington Center on Aging, The University of St. Thomas’ Development Board, and Holy Rosary Church’s Capital Campaign Advisory Committee.