Fran grew up in Haverhill, MA, moved to Boston in her early 30’S, and a few years later relocated to San Francisco for about 45 years. She returned to MA in Jan. 2019 because of medical issues and lived at Brooksby Village until she passed quietly in her sleep at Beverly hospital this December. She was 87.

When I was 8 years old my big sister, Fran, was 23. It was 1959 and she was in the prime of her young adult life – full of energy, funny, loved to laugh, and very attractive; in fact, that year she was a finalist in the “Hello Charley” beauty/popularity contest sponsored by Western Electric, the big employer in the Merrimac Valley. Fran was my idol. Though we lived in the same house it was hard to pin her down because she led a very busy life. She worked days as a secretary at Western Electric and then at night she had a very active social life with a large group of friends who were always getting together. Every weekend was booked: Summers at a beach cottage and winters at a ski house in the mountains. Life was fun! It was around 1970 that Fran and friends moved on to another phase of their lives while never losing the close connections they made in those early years.

Fran moved to Boston in the early 1970’s, and a few years later relocated to San Francisco after visiting a friend. She loved the city and began to create a new life for herself. She found jobs that made her happy, things to do that were new and exciting, a great apartment in a nice part of the city, and, most importantly, people who became like family to her. Even though she was 3000 miles away, she kept in touch, frequently, with her family and friends back here. She loved Amazon and was always sending fun gifts to the kids, and let’s not forget those heartwarming Jackie Lawson e-cards she loved to send to let us know she was thinking of us.

Fran kept her good friends and family close to her throughout her life, and, ultimately, it was her relationships with the people she loved that mattered most to her. She lived modestly and really didn’t care much about money as long as she could cover her living expenses and have enough left over to share food, wine, quality time, and lots of candy and treats! with the people she loved. She’ll be deeply missed from coast to coast.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at noon at the Brooksby Village chapel followed by a luncheon at 12:45 in the Garden Room. We ask that you arrive at 11:45AM to allow time for parking and a short walk to the chapel. The chapel is located in the McIntosh building, 300 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA. Once you enter the property there’s a guard station that will check you in and direct you to McIntosh. It’s the first building on the right. Parking is to the right of the front entrance. The attendant at the desk in the lobby will direct you to the chapel just around the corner.

Brooksby Village is located on Rt. 114 aka Andover St. The sign can be easily missed. If you’re heading east on Rt. 114 it’s just past the Walmart on the right. Heading west it’s directly across from the Lexus Dealer.

At the family’s request please OMIT flowers. Donations may be made in Fran’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or your favorite charity.