To the Williams community,
I write today with the sad news of a retiree who has passed away. Frances Joan Lewis, 78, of Williamstown, who worked for the college for 29 years, died on March 17.
Fran was born in North Adams in 1938 and graduated from Drury High School. She was married for 58 years to her high school sweetheart, William Lewis, who survives her. Bill also retired from the college in 2000 as a custodian.
She came to Williams in 1971 after she and Bill owned and managed the Ben Franklin Store in Oxford, N.Y., for many years. Fran started as a secretary for the Buildings and Grounds department. She then moved to Hopkins Hall, where she worked as a cashier and finally secretary in the Controller’s Office before retiring in 2000. Co-workers remember her as a true “people person” and the “mom” of the office — someone you could always ask for advice. Fran and Bill also often took Williams students into their home for holiday meals.
Upon retirement, Fran and Bill departed on a cross-country camping trip. Camping was one of her great loves – co-workers remember she used to count down the days until the campground in Lanesborough opened for the season. She and Bill would take their camper out on opening day and stay there until the campground closed for the season. They would often invite Fran’s co-workers out to the campsite after work for a visit. She was an avid reader, devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, and a member of the Harpin Turners square dancing club.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her daughters, Sandralee Boucher and husband Dr. Kevin Boucher of Pomfret, Conn., and Jane Perras and husband Michael of North Adams; her grandchildren, U.S. Air Force Major Select Kathryn Boucher, Sarah Grubb and husband Andrew, Adam Boucher, Laura Boucher, Michael Harpin, Jennifer Howard and husband Christopher, Karissa Perras and McKenzie Perras; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois Ostrander and husband Joseph of Lebanon, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and her beloved pug dog, Bailey.
Funeral services for Fran will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 27, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Calling hours will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes – West Chapel, 521 W. Main St. in North Adams. Burial will follow the funeral at Eastlawn Cemetery in Williamstown.
Our thoughts are with Fran’s family and her many friends.
Megamenu Social