Frances Seasholes Obituary

Frances (Cressey) Seasholes, decades-long participant in Newton community organizations, mother of four, and widow of Tufts Professor Bradbury Seasholes, died on November 13, 2012 at age 79. During her 56 years in Newton she was actively involved with The League of Women Voters, the Newton PTAs of Bowen, Weeks and Newton South High School, The Arlington Street Church (UUA), The Second Church in Newton (UCC), Newton Dialogues on Peace and War, The Newton Conservators, The Newton Green Decade, Newton Community Development Foundation, The Newton Centre Task Force and the Newton/San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua) Sister City Project. Fran was raised in Syracuse, NY, educated at Oberlin College, the American University of Beirut (Lebanon) and the University of North Carolina. As a Child Welfare Social Worker she was employed by the Orange County (NC) Welfare Department, The New England Home for Little Wanderers, The Gaebler Children's Hospital, and Protestant Social Service Bureau (now ISS in Quincy). In recent years Fran and her husband traveled widely and provided homestays for about 225 foreign students here to study English. She is survived by their four partnered children and two grandchildren: Laura Seasholes, Brian Booth and Andrew Barton of Seattle, Catherine Seasholes and April Calvert of Mequon, WI, Edward and Bereniz Seasholes of Framingham, Kenneth Seasholes, Andrea Chiasson and Hope Seasholes of Tucson, AZ. Her sisters are Marjorie Bowler of Newtown, PA and Eleanor Webster of Montpelier, VT. A memorial service will be held at the Second Church in Newton on December 3, 2012, at 7:00 PM. Messages to the family may be sent to [email protected] and memorial donations may be made to one's charity of choice.

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Published by The Newton Tab from Nov. 17 to Nov. 24, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Frances Seasholes

14 Entries

David Morrison

August 16, 2022

To the Seasholes family! I am a very old dear friend of Ted's. We went to Bowen elementary school and graduated high school together. I remember your mom very well and I am very sad to have found out of her passing. I know its been many years but please know the I and my parents and sisters send our belated condolences! Ted please contact me if ypu want. My email address is [email protected]

Cheryl Goldberg VanVeghten

January 3, 2013

I just now learned of Fran's death. She, and Brad, were an inspiration to me to do yearly holiday newsletters. My husband and I do one every year with pictures and news of our family. I am sorry that we will not get one this year. My Dad, Buddy Goldberg, said he saw Fran in November or late October 2012 as he told us about it at our family Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many good memories about the Seasholes family in my growing up years: playing on the old barn floor that backed up to our property, learning about Christmas, baking cookies, playing with Laura and Kathy and then Ted and Ken, sledding down the backyard hill in the winter, one day having their cat come into our house accidentally...etc. etc. So very sorry she is gone. She was a great person, as was Brad, as they did care about the world---but especially their family!

December 5, 2012

We had a wonderful visit with Fran, Brad and family when they were in Hawaii- swimming on a "vigorous" beach and hiking in a bamboo forest. They visited us after that when we were in Fairfield, CT. She is missed by many of us. Perry and Lois Eli (cousin to Brad- formerly Lois Seasholes Riggs)

Patty Brownlee

December 3, 2012

Fran and Brad were homestay hosts for my organization for 13 plus years. Those of us who have worked with her are all deeply saddened as we have lost someone who was committed to international understanding.

Fran went above and beyond for each and every visitor. She prepared dinner nightly, made sure each one was learning and engaged in their studies, and deeply cared about each one. She touched many hearts around the globe and offered many wonderful memories as a host mother.

Over the years, they had many visitors of all ages from around the world. Each Christmas letter detailed the number of visitors and their home countries. My staff always looked forward to receiving the Seasholes' Christmas letter and the decoration that adorned the card - handmade by Fran. I put up my Christmas tree on Sunday and hung two of the ornaments received (origami crane and gold ball) with memories of Fran.

Fran always called the office with an upbeat cheer in her voice, wanted to hear the updates on my daughter/life and was ready for the next adventure in hosting. She was not only a host but a friend and someone I will truly miss.

May peace be with the family.

Maria Paula Torres

November 29, 2012

Fran was my host mother this year in March. I´m a student from Colombia and I will never forget She was an extraordinary person, always trying to teach you about American costumes, religion, food, life and even new vocabulary to improve my english. This picture was this year celebrating her last birthday, she made a yard sale to help poor people. I have the best memories about her. God bless her soul. Rest in peace.

November 29, 2012

Janet and I knew Fran since our days many years ago on the Bowen PTA. She was a wonderful inspiration to all who knew her. In recent years she was a regular attendee at the Social Justice Forums we conduct several times a year at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton Centre. One evening, as part of my introductory remarks, I mentioned to those in attendance that we were starting to raise money to install a pull down screen in our lower church as an aid for speakers in their presentations. Though she was not a parishioner, Fran was the first to approach me with a donation at the end of the evening's forum. We miss her warm smile and presence very very much. Bob DeSimone

November 27, 2012

Brad and fran were our next door neighbors for over 30 years!There couldnt be better friends and neighbors!!Fran was always there to help and when my dad died looked after my mom from time to time . Fran always had a smile and an enthusiastic spirit!I never once saw her frown or look upset. I will miss Fran and I hope all your cherished memories of her provide you with comfort! Marcy Curtis

November 21, 2012

To Fran's family. I worked with Fran @
Interfaith Social Services formerly
PSSB. She was a caring individual and
very involved with the adoption process. My sympathies to all.
Beverly Farrell, Bus. Mgr. for Interfaith Social Services.

Jane Irwin

November 20, 2012

To all the Seasholes kids, Laura, Cathy, Ted, and Ken. Sending you lots of love and hugs from down in NZ, Frannie was a lovely member of our family and will be sorely missed from afar, xxxJane

November 18, 2012

Bck in the seventies, when Cooperative Living of Newton approached churches for money to begin Newton's first shared living or congregate house for older people,Fran and several other women in their church went to work and produced a Jumble Sale, which raised significant funding for the house.

A she was with us at Occupy Newton, out in front of Bank of America every Monday evening, holding her sign which said "We are the 99%"

Newton misses her already

Ginny Robinson

Anne Hoerner Ribble

November 18, 2012

My regret is only knowing Fran in person for one year (our sabbatical '95-96)but being so happy that my childhood friend Brad (Dayton, Ohio; First Baptist Church) had found such a splendid mate. May she rest in peace.

Andrew Taylor

November 18, 2012

So many wonderful memories of childhood days at the Seasholes house...always creative, resourceful, service-focused, and welcoming. I'm thinking of you all in her family and wishing you peace and connection dring this sad time. Fran was a wonder. She will be missed.

November 18, 2012

Fran was always ready with a smile and made you feel welcome. Any cause she was involved in was worthy and better by her involvment. My condolences to her family
Jack Turner

Deniz Ozdemir

November 18, 2012

I'm one of the students she hosted between oct 09 and july 10. Firstly; I see myself so lucky to be part of her life for 8 months.
She was always so much inspiring, logical, and motherly.
I remember the suppers she used to arrange. Everyone had a specific seat and a duty to do. One used to bring the candles, other bring up an object they bought from somewhere in the world(to talk about)...
We used to start with the things we've done on that day, then things we're currently up to, then any news, invitations, events we'd like to share and in the end after any one of us brings the dessert -that used to be there every night!- we used share our problems and none would stand until it's solved!

God bless their soul.

They were well-loved.

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