Francisca Abby Scarito

Francisca A. J. Scarito, long-time resident and fixture of West Falmouth, died peacefully on Friday, March 8, one month after her 87th birthday. Known for her strong views, passion for travel, active involvement in local organizations and the arts, Fran traveled to nearly 50 countries and territories on six continents.

Fran thrived on activities that stimulated her mind, including The New York Times crossword puzzle, Words With Friends, Wordle, reading and bridge. She was an active fundraiser for local non-profit entities including The Heart Fund, Highfield Theater, Falmouth Nursing Association, the West Falmouth Library and Heritage Museum & Gardens. She was a member of Junior Outlook as well as an avid tennis player and golfer, having been a member of the Woods Hole Golf Club for 35 years.

Born in Almeria, Spain in 1937 to Albion W. and Vida (Konchar) Johnson, where her father was Vice Consul in the Foreign Service, her family moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire when she was six years old, graduating from Portsmouth High School in 1955. She met her husband, Frank R. Scarito, also of Portsmouth, and they began a family while Mr. Scarito was getting his Masters at Indiana University. The Scaritos arrived in Falmouth in 1963, shortly after the birth of her first child, Frank, and one year prior to the birth of their daughter Francesca (“Rudy”). Fran completed her undergraduate and Masters degrees at Bridgewater State University and used her M. Ed. in the Mashpee School System. She is predeceased by her husband Frank R. Scarito and survived by her son Frank C. Scarito, daughter-in-law Lori J. Scarito, daughter Francesca ("Rudy") Scarito, grandson Frank A. Scarito and granddaughter Emma E. Scarito, as well as her sister, Conchita (Johnson) Geyer of Fairfax, VA and brother, James P. Johnson of Kittery, ME as well as many nieces and nephews.

Fran was known for her fierce independence, and many associate the saying “Push forward. Plant your flag. Make waves!” with her. Accordingly, in February 2024 she was named “Baroness Francisca J Scarito” of The Principality of Sealand, a military fortress seven miles from the eastern shores of Britain.

Francisca will be interred at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held later this Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Better Way To Help (www.betterwaytohelp.org), a non-profit founded in honor of her daughter-in-law, Lori, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2013.