Frances W. Graham

Frances Ward Graham passed away peacefully on October 16th, 2025. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kimberly Graham and Mark Jewell, her two sisters, Phyllis Auger and Joanne Curran and their families, and many relatives, close friends and students that surrounded her throughout her life.
She was an extraordinary wife, mother, mother-in-law, mentor and friend.

Fran grew up in Marlborough, NH and went to Keene State College, where she majored in Latin and at all of five feet tall, played basketball!

Fran's first teaching job took her to Coe Brown Academy in Northwood, NH. It was there that she met her future husband, Ralph, who had started his own landscaping business in his hometown. They had many friends and adventures there while Fran taught English, coached the cheerleading squad and chaperoned school dances. They even experienced the Exeter UFO sightings later on.

Fran and Ralph were married in Marlborough and moved to Bow, NH, where they bought a new home. They spent many happy years there building their life together.

Fran's career took her to Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, NH where she dedicated the next 30+ years to her students and co-workers. She was Department Chair for both the English and Foreign Language Departments and was known affectionately by her peers as the 'Iron Butterfly.' Later in her career, she took on the role of Assistant Principal.

Fran continued her love of learning and teaching her whole life. She earned her Master's degree in Education of Gifted and Talented Students, as her passion was working with students who showed great promise and ability for writing. She loved guiding students towards their goals and aspirations and assisting them along their journeys.

Fran and Ralph undertook many endeavors, including building a camp on the Magalloway Road in Pittsburg, NH, building a reproduction Royal Barry Wills-design cape in Hopkinton, NH and ultimately retiring to Columbia NH where they enjoyed fifteen years surrounded by wildlife and majestic views. After those memorable years in the North Country, Fran and Ralph moved to Franklin, NH to be close to family in their elder years.

Fran was an avid reader (especially mysteries) and loved gardening, decorating for all holidays (Christmas being the favorite) and vacationing with family. She loved music and played the piano and organ, and was a member of her church bell choir for many years. She was also a great baker and got her home baking license after retiring from teaching. The family pets were also very dear to her and she thoroughly enjoyed caring for them and seeing their antics.

Frances was an amazing person who achieved great things with modesty, grace, selflessness and gratitude. At the end of her life she was truly loved by not only her family and friends, but by her caretakers and nursing home community. She will be greatly missed.