Frances Mary Maguire

Frances Mary Maguire, “Fran”, 103, of Sandwich, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on September 15. She was the daughter of Carmine (Carl) and Ernestine (Esther) DiPietro. Born in Chelsea, MA on January 2, 1919, she graduated from Chelsea High School in 1937 and went to work as the Secretary to the Governor’s Council at the State House in Boston in 1938. She worked with the administrations of Governors Saltonstall and Bradford. She was married to George Pantano, also of Chelsea, in 1941. Upon his death while serving overseas during WWII, she moved to Cape Cod where she started a business in Sandwich called “Fran’s Sandwich Shop”. She also bought a house that would become the gathering place for generations of family members. She married Henry Maguire in 1949 and moved to Washington, DC. They later moved to Maryland where they remained until 1994 when they retired and moved back to Sandwich. While living in Maryland, Fran worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Silvio Conte for many years, where she made life-long friends. Following retirement she spent winters in Fort Lauderdale, FL where she made many dear friends over the 20 years that she was a snowbird.

Fran was predeceased by her husband, Henry, and her two sons, Stephen and Kevin Maguire, and Kevin’s wife, Janice. Fran is the last of her generation, being predeceased by her parents, her brothers Bernard, Joseph (Pat), and Carl DiPietro, and her sister Marie Hamlen. She is survived by her daughters, Paula Maguire of Forestdale, MA and Virginia Maguire of Sandwich, MA. She will be dearly missed by her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren - Mark Maguire and his wife Jamie and their children Christopher and Francesca of Mount Airy, MD, Kellie Donaldson and her husband Timothy and their children Madison and Ellie of Baltimore, MD, Stephanie Maguire of Gaithersburg, MD, and Henry Maguire and his fiancée Courtney Guida of Peekskill, NY. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, and their families, as well as a multitude of friends.

Frances lived an amazing life and was healthy, vital, and feisty up to her final days. She enjoyed shopping (especially at TJMaxx), loved Popeye’s chicken and Seafood Sam’s, and was visible around Sandwich and FL driving around in her yellow VW beetle convertible.

Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Fran’s name.

A mass and celebration of life will be held this summer on the Cape where friends and family can say “love ya, see ya” one last time. Details to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonbournefh.com for the Maguire family.