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London Jewelers’ Fran Udell dies at 94
Udell, a past co-owner of New York’s London Jewelers, died Saturday following a brief illness.
Like her late husband Mayer Udell, Fran Udell immigrated to the United States from Poland. She and her husband ran London Jewelers from the late 1940s until 1990.
Glen Cove, N.Y.--Fran Udell, a past co-owner of prominent Long Island, N.Y. retailer London Jewelers, died Saturday following a brief illness. She was 94.
Born Aug. 20, 1920 in Bialystok, Poland, Udell was the daughter of London Jewelers founder Charles London.
She met Mayer Udell, who died last July at the age of 96, on a blind date in 1939. After dating for seven years, the two married and expanded her family’s business, which was a small clock and watch repair shop, to a fine jewelry retail destination.
The business grew in prominence and reputation, and today has locations in Manhasset, Wheatley, Glen Cove, East Hampton and Southampton. Fran Udell served as president from 1945 until 1990, running the business alongside her husband.
Prior to operating her family’s jewelry store, she was an ambulance driver for Mitchel Field, a U.S. Army Air Forces base, during World War II.
Udell is survived by son Ira and his wife Allyn; and son Mark Udell and his wife Candy, the current CEO and president of London Jewelers, respectively.
She also is survived by her grandchildren, Erin and Leigh Minsky, Randi and Scott Alper, Jared and Riki Udell, Scott and Jessica Udell, and Zachary Udell; and seven great-grandchildren.
Donations in her memory can be made to Congregation Tifereth Israel or Siegel Multiple Myeloma Fund by contacting edonald@hackensackumc.org or 551-996-3720.
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