Frances Quirion Obituary (1946 - 2009)

WINDSOR - Frances A. Quirion passed from life to death, to Eternal Life, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at home with her daughter by her side, after suffering a fatal heart arrhythmia. Frances Berry was born on Nov. 12, 1946, in Waltham, Mass., the daughter of Ralph L. and Helen A. (Wladyszewska) Berry. Frannie lived in the Newton area until moving to California at the age of 9. She returned with her family to Massachusetts when she was 16, and graduated from Natick High School in 1965. Fran worked at Whittemore Associates and Raytheon Corp in Massachusetts before she met the love of her life, Robert C. Quirion, in the late 1960s. Beverly Vaillancourt introduced them in Washington, D.C. Bob and Fran were married on July 18, 1970, at St. James the Great Catholic Church in Wellesley, Mass. The couple moved to Windsor in 1972, to be closer to Bob's family. Fran worked for Depositor's Trust (KeyBank) for 14 years. During this time, Renee, Bob and Fran's only child, was born. The family volunteered with St. Andrew's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. They were awarded Maine Family of the Year by the Knights of Columbus twice in the late 1980s. Fond memories were created working on the Tootsie Roll Campaign and delivering Thanksgiving baskets. Fran began working in a clerical/reception role for Burgess and Leith, which later became Howe, Mendall and Associates, a stock brokerage firm. Company splits more than 18 years led her to work for Cantella and Co., where she received economic layoff in 2002. In 2004, she switched to wait staff work for Granite Hill Estates in Hallowell. She stopped working for health reasons in November 2007. Diabetes complications and chronic kidney disease weakened her heart, and she had a heart attack last month before this event that caused her death. Her interests included cross stitch, circle word, movies and geocaching. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Quirion, in 1992; a nephew, Robert S. Berry, in 1991; and a sister-in-law, Linda Berry. She is survived by her daughter, Renee Quirion, of Windsor; a brother, Bruce F. Berry, of Brockton, Mass.; several nieces and nephews, including Michael Berry, of Quincy, Mass., John Berry of Middleboro, Mass., and Matt Berry and Krista Spencer, both of Brockton; and cousins. Visiting hours will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Augusta. www.khrfuneralhomes.com