Frances Pearce

1931 - 2026

Frances Benson Pearce, 94, longtime resident of Virginia died of heart failure at home on January 20, 2026.

Frances Sidwell Benson was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 16, 1931 to James and Frances (Sidwell) Benson. Her father was an accountant/attorney, and her mother was a Latin teacher. She was a loving and caring older sister to James (Jay) Benson.

Fran attended Baltimore Friends High School where she was on the bowling and the badminton teams. A language major at Swarthmore College, she studied Russian, German, Spanish and French, and was active in the Russian Club. She played on the lacrosse and badminton teams and was circulation manager of the college newspaper. Known for her wisdom and life-long learning, she credited Swarthmore with helping her to develop this framework.

Following college, Fran worked at the Central Intelligence Agency for seven years but "couldn't possibly tell you what I did there" as she would say with a wink. She met husband James (Jim) Pearce through a friend and they married in 1959, settling in McLean prior to the births of daughters Elizabeth and Margaret. Fran was a stay-at-home mom who provided her children with guidance and structure, and also active in local education matters and politics. She was involved with the Fairfax County PTA and was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for 55 years. In 1983, she earned the McLean Community Service Award.

Jim and Fran enjoyed listening to jazz and swing music, visiting art museums, and being members of the Universalist National Memorial Church in Washington, D.C. Fran was an avid sports fan and spent summer nights watching her beloved Baltimore Orioles on television, as well as following tennis, football, and other sports.

Fran's face would light up when she spoke of her daughters and granddaughters. Margaret lives nearby and became an indispensable support and companion of Fran as she aged. Elizabeth lives in Corvallis, and was a frequent visitor in recent years. At The Jefferson, where she lived the last 14 years of her life, Fran was very active and known for her sports and local restaurant knowledge. Fran will be remembered as a fascinating conversationalist and a welcoming resource for new residents.

Fran was predeceased by her parents, husband, and younger brother Jay. She is survived by her children: Liz Pearce (Liz Baker), Margaret Pearce; and her grandchildren: Rachel Frances and Sarabeth Pearce-Smith. Donations in Fran's honor can be made to the Pearce Family Art Fund https://bit.ly/4b9X0fM Note that your donation is in honor of Frances Pearce at Linn-Benton Community College or the AAUW McLean Branch (McLean Area Branch AAUW P.O. Box 1002, McLean, VA 22101).

A memorial service will be held in March at The Jefferson in Arlington, Virginia.