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Tributes
Fran Levine, MSW, LCSW
(1936 -2026)
Deceased January 12, 2026 | Posted May 3, 2026
Obituary
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/hackensack-nj/frances-levine-12701083
Tributes to Fran Levine by colleagues and friends
It's with a heavy heart that I am letting you know that our esteemed colleague and friend Fran Levine passed away Monday, January 12, 2026. She had been combating cancer for the last couple of months.
Fran had moderated many sessions at AAPCSW's national conferences. She regrettably canceled her participation as moderator at the Austin conference in November 2025. Here's her brief bio which speaks volumes: Fran Levine, LCSW, BCD-P, Faculty, NJI, NY Inst for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology. Adjunct Prof, Robert Wood Johnson’s Psychiatry Dept. Private Practice, Teaneck, NJ.
Fran was a long-time member of AAPCSW, and an active member of NY Institute for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology, studying directly under Crayton Rowe, who is a co-founder of this institute and founder of AAPCSW. Fran's love was Self Psychology, applying Kohut's definition of Empathy, and working with children.
Fran was also an artist. When I saw Fran last week, she shared photos of her magnificent ceramic sculptures. Since we were involved at the same institute, we had many fond shared memories. With her lively disposition, Fran will be deeply missed.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, January 14, at 9:30 am, at Gutterman and Musicant in Hackensack, NJ. It will also be virtual. The link will be shared once I receive notice of it. May Fran's memory be for a blessing.
In sympathy…
- Penny Rosen, MSW, LCSW-R, BCD-P – New York, NY.
I am acknowledging the passing of Fran Levine, a member of the AAPCSW community. I am deeply grieved for her husband Jack Levine and her beloved children and grandchildren.
I am so honored to have known Fran. We met at an AAPCSW writers workshop before a conference many years ago back in Durham, NC.
She was so full of life, creativity, and joy. I adored her. We spoke just recently, around November. We met regularly during Covid on zoom to share life stories, clinical work, and laugh together. I shared she was my "surrogate mother,” of sorts. She really loved that comment. It was a strong connection.
She was a very accomplished individual in her field. At a conference in Chicago, she spoke so powerfully about Crayton Rowe's paper and her own work. Her work lives on, with so many children and far beyond, that she helped so deeply.
She is irreplaceable and I will never forget her. I wish we had more time together. The conferences will not be the same for me without her presence.
- Natalie Peacock-Corral, LCSW – North Carolina
I met Fran at the AAPCSW conference held in Baltimore. Her lively spirit and enthusiasm instantly captivated me. But that was just the start. Our mutual reverence for Kohut, his revolutionary theory and methodology, sealed the deal to a wonderful collegial relationship. It was a “twinship” selfobject experience from day one.
Fran among other lovely NYIPSP members in attendance at the AAPCSW conference graciously invited me to join their study group. It was during my participation in the group that I gained a deeper appreciation for Fran’s depth as a person, her gifts as a therapist, and her creative, inquisitive mind.
I was humbled when she sought my consult regarding the unanticipated need to quickly end her analytic cases. Everything happened so suddenly, and since she couldn’t predict her capacity to be there for her patients post chemotherapy, she knew she needed to end her practice. To the very end, Fran, confronted with her own mortality, flooded with the full array of emotions, took the time to thoroughly, thoughtfully and empathically terminate with her patients. While partaking in that process with Fran, I offered to accompany her on what I feared would be her final journey. I am honored she entrusted me to do just that. It felt like the poignant “Tuesdays with Morrie” on extreme fast track. During our phone visits, which coincidentally began on Tuesdays, not only did Fran share what was important to her for me to know about her, her life, and the elephant in the room, she did so with courage and dignity. My respect and love for her grew deeper and I regret not having taken the opportunity to know Fran better, till the last couple months of her rich and well engaged life. At least I was able to express this regret and cherish the time I spent with Fran. As her life was ending she was preoccupied with Kohut’s legacy, and tasked me with the mission to keep it alive. Maybe NYIPSP could establish an annual Fran Levine memorial lecture with her wish in mind.
My heartfelt condolences to her beloved husband, Jack, her children and grandchildren. May her memory be a blessing.
With sorrow,
- Theresa Albini, LCSW, BCD – Chicago, Illinois.
Fran was such a warm and welcoming presence when I began training at NYIPSP. She was generous with her affection, and exuded an infectious passion about life and of course, self psychology. I always enjoyed catching up with her through the years at conferences and other events.
With such fond memories and deep condolences to Jack and Fran’s whole circle of family and loved ones,
- Ashley Warner, LCSW, BCD-P
Thanks for letting us know about Fran's passing. She was a terrific colleague, full of creative ideas and energy. Her faithful attendance at the CSWA Town Halls was a highlight of the monthly discussions that take place. I will miss her greatly.
May her memory be a blessing.- Laura W. Groshong, LICSW – Seattle, WA.
