FRANCES D. KERCHNER

1934 - 2022

KERCHNER, Frances D. Age 87, passed away peacefully, on August 25, 2022. She was born on September 22, 1934, in Andover, ME, to Everett and Elsie Dresser. An explorer by nature and a woman ahead of her time, she traveled extensively and lived in a variety of places, including Boston, New York City, and San Francisco before settling down in Wellesley in 1974 with her late husband of 51 years, Wayne C. Kerchner where they raised their family of three children. Fran is survived by her daughter, Lisa S. Neighbors and her husband, Brad, Beth B. Kerchner and her husband, Kevin Sheffield; and son, Charles D. Kerchner. She was the grandmother (nana) of Ayla and Rose Neighbors and Olivia and Charlotte "Charlie" Kerchner. She was a sister to Joyce Birch and the late Maxine Thurston. Her children describe her as loving, fun, hardworking, and an optimistic mother who taught them "success is loving life and daring to live it." Fran was literally the life of the party. Her friends describe her as positive, gregarious, joyful, and a spunky troublemaker who was known for cutting a mean Charleston at any social gathering. As a social worker, she dedicated her professional career to social justice. She graduated from the University of Maine ('57) and from Columbia University ('72) with a Master's Degree in social work. She worked with a variety of socio-economic groups from Child Protective Services in San Francisco to mental health services in New York and the Boston area. At the ripe age of 63, she co-founded and ran Senior Care Alternatives with Cheryl Colbert until it was sold in 2004. Fran lived the motto "you are only as old as you feel" and her spirit was contagious. Fran lived by example. While Fran loved to travel and experience new places, she enjoyed spending family time the most on the ski slopes and lakes in the mountains of Andover, ME. She was a member of the Wellesley Congregational Village Church for over 45 years. Family would like to thank friends, aides, and nurses whose attention to her needs was a source of immeasurable support. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Andover Educational Fund, PO Box 32, Andover, ME 04216. Celebration of Life will be held at Wellesley Village Church, 2 Central St., Wellesley, Saturday, September 10, at 2 pm. To celebrate Fran's spirit, festive attire is welcome! Reception will be held after the church service.

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