GRAFTON: Frances E. “Fran” Gilchrist, 88, of North Grafton passed away Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Forestview Manor Nursing home in Meredith, NH following a brief illness. She is survived by her four sons Stephen Gilchrist and wife Wendy of Bridgewater, NH, and their three sons, John Gilchrist from Charlton, MA and his two sons, William Gilchrist and wife Julieanne from Holderness, NH and their four sons and two daughters and Robert and his wife Julie from Grafton, MA and their two sons and daughter as well as her brother Walter Conn and his wife Joann from Philadelphia, PA.
Throughout the years Fran enjoyed her time surrounded by her eleven grandchildren: Chad, Corey, Cody, John, Jake, Jesse, Kyle, Kayla Rose, Michael, Samantha, and Nicholas. As well as eight great-grandchildren; Grace, Addison, Shane, Anna, Jack, Bailey, Tripp, and Harper. Frances was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Charles, her beloved grandson Jake Gilchrist, and her former daughter-in-law Lorna Gilchrist.
Frances was born March 17, 1935, in Providence, RI, daughter of the late Earl and Ethel Conn. She attended Hope High School in Providence, RI. Frances was a resident of Grafton for 61 years, was proud of the town she adored and took her citizenry to heart through her involvement in various community activities, St Mary’s parish fundraisers and charitable events, and the Grafton school system. She was a sports fan and rarely missed one of her son’s sporting events. After raising her children Frances dedicated her life to helping others. For several decades she served as an eucharistic minister supporting the Lady of Lourdes Parish, visiting the elderly throughout the Worcester area hospitals providing healing ministry liturgy, and she served as a home health worker assisting the elderly with basic tasks that made her patient’s lives possible and easier.
More than anything else Frances was a dedicated wife and mother whose love for her husband Charlie and the pride she took in her family. The focus of her life was filled with giving to and helping others.
Retirement for Frances was a fulfilling chapter in her life; it consisted of traveling with her husband Charlie and good friends Walter and Bunny Pieleski that created great memories journeying to Florida, the Western part of the U.S. and Europe. She also spent 38 summers on the shores at Wells Beach, Maine with her husband, family, and the friends she enjoyed for years.
All are welcome to gather with Frances’s family and friends Tuesday, October 10th from 9:30 to 11:00am at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536 followed by the celebration of his Funeral Mass at 11:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church 1290 Grafton Street Worcester, MA 01604. She will then be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton. A Book of Memories to share a special message with his family is available online at: www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.