Obituary for Frances Moretti
Frances Moretti, 97, passed away at her home on October 27, 2022, lovingly attended by her family. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Whitfield (2012) and her son John (2020). Born in Greenfield, MA, she married Whitfield, of Millers Falls, MA, in 1947. Fran and Whit, and their 6 children, lived on Long Island, NY for 22 years before moving to Acton, MA in 1969.
Fran treasured her family and regarded them as her life’s greatest achievement. She is survived by her children: Michael and his long-time companion Ann, Martha (husband Art is deceased), Diane (wife of John), Peter and wife Bonnie, Elizabeth and husband Keith, and Paul and wife Lola. Fran was proud of her 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, sending all of them annual birthday cards and keeping their up-to-date framed photos where she could look at them daily.
In June, Fran attended her 75th college reunion at Middlebury (VT) College, where she graduated Pre-Med in 1947. She married soon after graduating and, after raising her family, returned to academia to earn her master’s in Library Science. She was the Reference Librarian in the Acton Public Library for 20 years. After retiring, she was elected a Library Trustee. Her support of the library continued an additional 20 years as she volunteered to work at the library’s annual book sale.
As a couple, Fran and Whit shared a commitment to community. Together, they volunteered at the Acton Historical Society and Household Goods. For many years, they were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army. They also participated fully in the life of the Acton Congregational Church. For the past ten years, Fran volunteered at the Thrift Shop run by the Acton Congregational Church.
Fran had a great curiosity about everything in the world around her. She stayed abreast of current events and politics, and was very observant of changes in nature in her environment. She enjoyed flowers and caring for the rose bushes in her yard. She loved language and habitually looked up the etymology of words. She completed at least one, and often two, New York Times crossword puzzles every day.
Fran traveled extensively with Whit, enjoying trips across the US, and to Canada, Belize, England, France and several trips to Italy. However her greatest delight was spending summer days at the family Camp in Leyden, MA, and seeing her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren there, enjoying the outdoors and each other’s company. She said that Camp was better with lots of children and several family dogs running around.
She was known to many because of her daily walk around her Acton neighborhood where she lived independently until her passing. On her strolls, which she continued until the week she passed away, she especially enjoyed stopping to pet the neighbor’s dogs, and knew many of them by name.
Fran was, as one neighbor said, “a gem” -- one of those rare people who was loved and admired by her family, friends and neighbors. She was known for her kindness, her intellect, and her indomitable spirit. Her loved ones regard Fran as a model of how to live one’s life: treasure your family, stop to smell the roses, have fortitude in the face of life’s struggles, keep learning new things, be mentally fit and physically active, pay attention to the world around you, serve others, and always put others at ease through kindness. Although we are bereft, she assured us that she had a very good life.
There will be a memorial service at Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am with a reception/calling hours immediately following the service. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton will be private.
Gifts in memory of Fran may be made to the Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Rd, Groton, MA 01450 or to the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA 01720.
Memorial Page: www.actonfuneralhome.com
Fran treasured her family and regarded them as her life’s greatest achievement. She is survived by her children: Michael and his long-time companion Ann, Martha (husband Art is deceased), Diane (wife of John), Peter and wife Bonnie, Elizabeth and husband Keith, and Paul and wife Lola. Fran was proud of her 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, sending all of them annual birthday cards and keeping their up-to-date framed photos where she could look at them daily.
In June, Fran attended her 75th college reunion at Middlebury (VT) College, where she graduated Pre-Med in 1947. She married soon after graduating and, after raising her family, returned to academia to earn her master’s in Library Science. She was the Reference Librarian in the Acton Public Library for 20 years. After retiring, she was elected a Library Trustee. Her support of the library continued an additional 20 years as she volunteered to work at the library’s annual book sale.
As a couple, Fran and Whit shared a commitment to community. Together, they volunteered at the Acton Historical Society and Household Goods. For many years, they were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army. They also participated fully in the life of the Acton Congregational Church. For the past ten years, Fran volunteered at the Thrift Shop run by the Acton Congregational Church.
Fran had a great curiosity about everything in the world around her. She stayed abreast of current events and politics, and was very observant of changes in nature in her environment. She enjoyed flowers and caring for the rose bushes in her yard. She loved language and habitually looked up the etymology of words. She completed at least one, and often two, New York Times crossword puzzles every day.
Fran traveled extensively with Whit, enjoying trips across the US, and to Canada, Belize, England, France and several trips to Italy. However her greatest delight was spending summer days at the family Camp in Leyden, MA, and seeing her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren there, enjoying the outdoors and each other’s company. She said that Camp was better with lots of children and several family dogs running around.
She was known to many because of her daily walk around her Acton neighborhood where she lived independently until her passing. On her strolls, which she continued until the week she passed away, she especially enjoyed stopping to pet the neighbor’s dogs, and knew many of them by name.
Fran was, as one neighbor said, “a gem” -- one of those rare people who was loved and admired by her family, friends and neighbors. She was known for her kindness, her intellect, and her indomitable spirit. Her loved ones regard Fran as a model of how to live one’s life: treasure your family, stop to smell the roses, have fortitude in the face of life’s struggles, keep learning new things, be mentally fit and physically active, pay attention to the world around you, serve others, and always put others at ease through kindness. Although we are bereft, she assured us that she had a very good life.
There will be a memorial service at Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am with a reception/calling hours immediately following the service. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton will be private.
Gifts in memory of Fran may be made to the Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Rd, Groton, MA 01450 or to the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA 01720.
Memorial Page: www.actonfuneralhome.com