Frances Hartigan Pearson

On April 15, 2016, Frances Hartigan Pearson, known to her family and friends as Fran, passed away peacefully at age 92 in Washington, D.C. Fran was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 23, 1923. She was the daughter of Christopher Morgan and Marion Pilsbry. She was predeceased by her loving husband of over 30 years, Charles Conway “Connie” Hartigan, Jr. Many years later, she met and married Francis Everett “Buzz” Pearson, who passed away in 2000.

Fran was the dear mother of Christopher Hartigan, Cynthia Mulholland (Kurt), Margaret Hartigan (David Savold), and grandmother of Raeanon Hartigan (Daniel Shay), Clifford and Margaret Mulholland, and Jordan and Christopher Savold. She had two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Fran was predeceased by her sisters, Cynthia Lack, Dorothy FitzGerald, and Frances Everett.

As a child, Fran lived in Chicago and spent her summers with her grandmother in Mystic, Connecticut. Later her family moved to Washington, D.C. where she attended National Cathedral School. She finished her high school years at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California. She attended Pine Manor Junior College and Skidmore College. A history major in college, she kept this passion all her life. Following World War II, Fran met her husband Connie in Washington, D.C. As a Navy couple, Fran and Connie traveled the world making friends everywhere. They fully immersed themselves and their family in the cultures of the many counties where they lived, including Venezuela, Italy, and Japan. While in Japan, she taught English and developed a passion for Ikebana. She won many awards for her Ikebana and flower arranging. Fran was a gifted cook, painter, and gardener. She had a remarkable ability to care for animals, both big and small. She loved to entertain and welcomed everyone, including a menagerie of pets, into her home. For unannounced guests, there was always a seat at the table. In her later years, Fran continued to wander the globe, fulfilling her dream of traveling the Silk Road in China, exploring Africa, and venturing to Komodo Island in Indonesia, among many other places.

Fran was a member of Chevy Chase Club and the Sulgrave Club. She was actively involved with the Washington Cathedral Floral Guild, the Altar Guild at All Saints Church, and was on the Board of the Washington Home and The House of Mercy.

Fran will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Connie, at Arlington National Cemetery. Following a private interment, a service to celebrate Fran’s life will be held on Monday, September 26 at 11:30 a.m. at All Saints Church on Chevy Chase Circle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The House of Mercy, 2000 Rosemont Avenue, NW, Washington D.C., 20010-1045 or the Denison Society at denisonhomestead.org. To send online condolences, please sign the family guestbook at www.gawlers.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.