Frances M. Meacham

CHESHIRE – Frances M. Meacham, 91, passed away Sunday March 8, 2015. She was the widow of Austin D. Meacham Sr.

Born in Williamsport PA on January 28, 1924, she was the eldest child of Marguerite (Kelly) and Perry A. Winner. Frances became a longtime resident of Cheshire after moving to Connecticut in 1947. She was a communicant of St. Bridget Church. Frances served as the organist at Annunciation Church in Williamsport, PA before moving to CT. She studied Georgian chant at Graymoor College in Ohio as well as Organ under Vincent Scully, Organist at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, and Edward Clarke, Professor of Music at the University of Hartford. She served as organist at Holy Angels Church in South Meriden, St. Bridget Church and Church of the Epiphany in Cheshire. She also played for funerals Masses, taught Preschool and CCD at St. Thomas Becket Church as well as serving as organist for several other area churches.

Frances worked alongside her husband for 34 years at Meacham’ Service Station, Inc. where she was Vice-President and Secretary until their retirement in 1981.

Frances took pride in making well balanced dinners for her family up till the time of her recent illness. A skilled gardener, she tended a large garden for many years. Frances completed the Master Gardener Program and volunteered at the Department of Agriculture. Her son David taught her how to crab for soft shell which she enjoyed immensely during retirement.

Frances loved to read and shared this love with the children, reading to them as well as volunteering in their children’s grammar school libraries. She enjoyed singing with her grandchildren and taught several to play the piano as a way of passing along her love of music. Being well informed to keep up with world and religious news was important to her.

Frances is survived by her children, A. David Meacham Jr. and his wife Donna, Mary Catherine Meacham, and Ann Marie Duffy and her husband Russell; her daughter-in-law Jacqueline H. Meacham; her grandchildren Christopher D. Meacham (Amie), Marci J. Day (Robert), Ryan J. Meacham, Patrick A. Duffy (Heather), Russell J. Duffy, Kieran J. Duffy, Kelly C. Meacham and Claire E. Duffy; her great grandchildren Robert J. Day, Maliah J. Day, Alexandria M. Meacham, Cameron A. Meacham and Jillian Meacham; her sister Nora Reidy as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son John F. Meacham and her brother John P. Winner.

Arrangements – Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 12, 2015, 9:45 a.m. from the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. to St. Bridget Church for Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery and there are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant House, Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731, New York, NY 10108-0900 or to your local food bank.