Marifrances McGinn

Marifrances (Kelly) McGinn passed away peacefully at her home in Rumford, RI with her family standing by her. She is survived by her husband of 55 years the Hon. V. Paul McGinn, her son Vincent P. McGinn III, her daughter Katherine McGinn and her husband Kevin O’Connor and her beloved granddaughters Michaela Grace O’Connor and Audrey Elizabeth O’Connor. She is also survived by her sisters Michaela Kelly and her husband Max Girouard, Connie and her husband Brian McCarthy, Martha and her husband John (Jack) Krollman and many cousins, nieces, nephews, family and beloved friends who meant so much to her.

Marifrances was born on April 27, 1948 seven minutes before her twin sister Michaela, to Michael J. and Rita (Black) Kelly in Providence. Marifrances grew up in Pawtucket with her loving and much loved parents and younger sisters Michaela, Connie and Martha.

Marifran held a bachelor’s degree in history from Salve Regina University and a juris doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. From 1980-1982, she served The City of Pawtucket as City Solicitor, the first woman appointed to municipal office in that city. Marifran practiced law at McMahon & McMahon in Providence for 17 years working closely with her mentors Richard (Dick) McMahon and William (Bill) McMahon. With an expertise in civil law and a concentration in education law, she also provided legal services to Providence College while in private practice until joining PC full-time.

For more than 20 years, Marifrances served as Vice President and General Counsel at Providence College, retiring in 2019. She was the first full-time general counsel in Providence College’s history, the first female vice president at PC, and the first woman to serve in the President’s Senior Cabinet at PC. As general counsel, Marifran provided legal advice and guidance to the Board of Trustees, President, Vice Presidents, administrative officers, and faculty. Providence College bestowed her with an honorary degree in 2019.

Marifran served as a past member of the Diocesan Elementary and Secondary School Board of Directors and was a past board member of La Salle Academy and Sophia Academy. Marifrances was a member of the American Bar Association, Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Foundation and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. She also served on the Rhode Island Board of Medical License Discipline. Marifran was past chair of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Lawyer License Discipline Board and was past president of the Rhode Island Women Lawyers Association.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 20th from 4:00-7:00 pm with her funeral on Friday, August 21st at 9:00 am in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:00 am in St. Dominic Chapel at Providence College, 215 Eaton Street, Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Marifran’s honor to The Fund for Providence College- Emergency Student Support, https://forever-a-friar.providence.edu/beyond-limits/fund-for-pc/