Frances M Reese

Frances M Reese died surrounded by family on February 17, 2026. Born Frances Mignano on April 13, 1943, to Leonard Mignano and Beatrice Lofaso, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, Frances moved to South Florida in the early 1970s, settling in the southern part of Miami with her husband William J. Reese. She is survived by her sister Marian, and her 4 children, and 8 grandchildren. In order from oldest to youngest her children are Laura, William, Erik, and David; her grandchildren are Danny, Cameron, Rachael, Brooke, Grace, Vince, Fable, and Inigo; Frances, aka Mom, aka Granny Franny, will be remembered happily as a loving family matriarch and friend.

A single mom and Registered Nurse for most of her adult life, Franny was the backbone of her family and her community. She also had backbone: she was a fierce defender of her children, a committed competent nurse in South Florida hospitals for over 50 years, and a nurturing source of light despite personal tragedies she herself faced, including a nearly fatal car crash and Hurricane Andrew’s destruction.

Ever-independent, Franny was an inquisitive person who revered education. She loved reading, music, travel, live performance, art, conversation, children, the beach, being on the water, exercise, enjoying great food, holiday celebrations, and feeling that she’d made another person happy. Granny Franny embraced living in Coral Gables where she became an active member of the community.

A source of pride for Franny, her children are contributing to their respective communities, sharing outward the love they absorbed in the home she made in Cutler Ridge, where they grew up. Granny maintained beautiful, singular relationships with each of her grandchildren, while instilling in all of them the virtues of hard-work and kindness.

May her memory be as a blessing to all she touched and in her journey onward may the light guide her toward her deserved home.