Frances Gertrude Briggs Stinson, 90, passed into Heaven on Monday, May 1, 2017 after a brief illness.

Frances was born May 19, 1926 in Lewiston, Maine to Elmer and Ida Briggs of Auburn, Maine.  She and her younger brother Roger were raised in a loving home in Auburn.  Frances graduated from Edward Little High School in 1944 and from Bates College in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology.

Upon graduating, Frances worked briefly for Child Welfare Services.  While living in Augusta, Frances met the love of her life, Lemuel G. Stinson.  They married in 1950.  They welcomed five children during their years residing in Auburn, then moved to Bath, Maine in 1964, and later to the Stinson Homestead in Woolwich.  In 2016 Frances moved to Bangor.

Frances worked as Social Worker for Bath Memorial Hospital where she was instrumental in helping bring the Meals on Wheels program to the Bath area. She was an assertive advocate for those in her charge, assisting many individuals and families with respect and dignity as she helped meet their needs.  Frances had a strong faith in Jesus Christ, her Savior and Lord.  She was a kind and compassionate woman, generous with her positivity and lived her faith out in her work place. 

Frances was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Bath, where she served faithfully in various ministries.  She especially enjoyed helping with overseas missions.

Frances took great delight being in the outdoors, taking long walks through the woods, tending the vegetable garden during summer and snow shoeing during winter.  She swam year round at the Bath YMCA and at the family summer cottage on Penobscot Bay in Northport.  She loved to feed the birds and was an avid bird watcher.  From time to time she contributed to the Maine Audubon Society with special counts of various bird species.

Frances lovingly cared for her husband and tended to his every need during his long illness.  She encouraged her children in their varied pursuits and made many happy memories for and with all her family throughout the years.

Frances was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Lemuel, on June 8, 2011.

She is survived by her son Everson Stinson and his wife Gerri of Maine and their children Jennifer, Megan and Kathleen; son Glenn Stinson of California and his children John, Thomas and Kyle; daughter Andrea Lebel and her husband Gary of Georgia and their children Christopher and Renee; son Gregg Stinson of Maine; daughter Christine Collamore and her husband David of New Hampshire and their children David, Aaron, Achsah, Adam and Michael; and ten great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone at Winterberry Heights for their welcoming care of Frances.  They also share their warm gratitude for Premier Home Care Services, Beacon Hospice and Lisa Carroll, FNP.

Visiting hours will be held 11:00 a.m. - noon, Wednesday, May 10, at the David E. Desmond Funeral Home, 638 High Street, Bath, with a service in memory of Frances beginning at noon at the funeral home.  Burial will immediately follow.

To share your thoughts and condolences with Frances’ family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com