Fran Beth, the longtime co-owner of Marge's Lakeside Inn, died early Wednesday morning at age 81.
Her daughter, Francine Beth, announced the news in a Facebook post: "Update: My Mom passed away, just about 2am last night. I guess it was “last call” in heaven. She did make her bday dinner at Payments and was very happy. Then things took a bad turn. Needless to say, I’m crushed, empty, heartbroken and can’t find any words.
I’ll post when we figure things out. 💔"
Facebook comments and posts have been flooding the timeline since Beth's announcement, from bar regulars and employees to musicians and neighbors.
Marge's Lakeside Inn is Rochester's own 'Margaritaville," a nostalgic tiki bungalow filled with colorful kitsch and frozen mixed drinks at the ready. Behind the rambling house is an outdoor bar, makeshift stage and yards of beachfront sand with plenty of chairs for barefoot patrons.
Related Marge's Lakeside Inn: Where the party never stops Marge's Lakeside Inn: Where the party never stops With its beach chairs, live music, and sand beckoning bare feet, Marge's Lakeside Inn feels much more exotic than the shore of a Great Lake. By Jeff Spevak Nightlife
Marge's has been a family owned fixture in the community for more than 60 years — Fran Beth and her husband, Ron, became owner-operators in 1975 after purchasing the business from Ron's mother, Marge. The building itself, nestled among residential beach houses on Culver Road, dates back to the 1930s, when it housed an illicit speakeasy run by another owner. More recently, Marge's has weathered damage from the Lake Ontario flooding in 2017, followed by the pandemic's effect on bars and restaurants.
Visitation for Beth will be held Friday, January 5. More details here.
Leah Stacy is CITY's editor.