Frances Paquette

Frances (Lawrence) Paquette, 90, of Portland, formerly of Wethersfield and East Hartford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022 with her daughters and eldest grandson, Christopher by her side. Frances was born in Boston, MA on May 3, 1931, daughter of the late Walter and Rose (McDonald) Lawrence. Frances moved to Hartford with her family and graduated from Bulkeley High School. She worked at Mercer and Dunbar for several years, eventually moving into the head teller position at Connecticut National Bank. She loved roller skating, square dancing, singing, playing cards and Cards Against Humanity with her girls and granddaughter, Abby. She met the love of her life, Roger Paquette, on a blind date, and on April 21, 1951 they were married and settled in East Hartford to raise their four daughters. Fran and Rog loved to travel and enjoyed time with family and friends.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Roger; her sister Lorraine Barrieau; her brother Thomas Lawrence and her brother-in-law, Gerard Barrieau. She leaves to mourn her four daughters, Denise Kiah of Concord NC, Barbara (Robert) Gordon, of Concord, NC, Alison (Chris) Petersen of South Windsor and Jerilyn (Richard) Sweet of Portland. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Christopher (Heather) Gordon of Wyoming DE, Matthew (Caitlin) Gordon of Lexington SC, Scott Gordon of Wyoming DE, Steven Petersen of Manchester, Kyra Petersen of Windsor, and Abigail and Evan Sweet of Portland, as well as four great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her nephew, Gerard Paul Barrieau (Joan), who was very special to her, as well as her nieces, Cindy, Kelly and Heidi in Florida and her sister-in-law, Janet St John of Manchester. Fran will also be missed by several very close friends from the condo complex she resided in for 16 years, especially her sidekick and partner in crime, Maryellen Mozdzierz. Fran’s family is forever grateful to Phyllis and Gary Smithwick for their friendship but most of all their care and compassion and for always being there for mom.

Heartfelt appreciation for Linda Sweet for her selfless compassion, caring and dedication to Fran and her daughters during this difficult time - we couldn't have done it without you!!

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, February 9 from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 10 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fran’s memory may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, Middlesex Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care, 28 Crescent St, Middletown, CT 06457, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002, or a charity of your choice. To share a memory of Fran with her family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.