N Francine (Patten) Chandler

On February 23rd ,  during a typical New England winter storm, the skies opened up enough with a big ray of light to guide and allow Fran’s loving soul to pass on to the afterlife.  Francine passed one month short of her 92nd birthday on the day that coincided with her late husband Douglas’ birthday. She battled cancer which eventually won in the end.

Francine was a lifelong member of Broadway Methodist Church which is now Grace Methodist Church. A  Lifelong Lynn resident who graduated from Lynn English High School class of 1949.

During her travel to heaven, we all know she was greeted by many relatives and friends who predeceased her:  her husband Douglas Chandler, her parents Frank and Nina Patten, her sister Alma Tivey and her spouse Robert, her brother Richard Patten and his spouse Eleanor, her daughter Jean Chandler, her brother-in-law Bedford Chandler, plus numerous friends and other relatives.

Fran has lived in the same neighborhood where she grew up - for 90 of her 92 years - just three houses away from her parents’ home.  There, she raised five loving children who all participated in giving her a full life and preparing her for the afterlife.  Her children and extended family consist of Ernest Chandler and his long-time partner Lorna Coscia of Wakefield, Ma; David Chandler and his wonderful partner Bonnie Block of Westford, Ma; Paul Chandler and his wife Fran Rancourt of Conway, NH;  Betty Ann Chandler of Sandwich, Ma,  the late Jean Chandler of Chapel Hill, NC and sister-in-law Irene Chandler of Wakefield, Ma.

Her five children provided Fran with 10 wonderful grandchildren.  Those grandchildren from daughter Betty’s children consist of Eddie Slamin and his wife Summer  of Sandwich,  Ma;  Rebecca Carr and  her spouse Kevin  of Sandwich, Ma  and Dana and David O’Neil of Charlottesville, Virginia.  Son Ernest provided grandchildren Christopher Chandler of San Francisco, Ca; Laura Chandler and her spouse Amanda of Tewksbury, Ma; and Haley Chandler and her spouse Jared Walsh of Windham, NH.  Son Paul Chandler contributed Kenneth Chandler and his wife Rachel of Windsor, VT and Tamara Chandler of Plymouth, NH.   Son David provided grandchildren Andrew Chandler of Westford and Gloucester, Ma, and Brian Ross of Gloucester, Ma.  These wonderful grandchildren provided 4 great- grandchildren, Douglas, Kiera, Evelyn, Clayton and soon to arrive Emmett. They all  contributed a lot of love and happiness to her life.  Every child born received a crocheted afghan made by Fran that everyone cherished.

 Francine was primarily a homemaker in her early years, as raising her 5 children was a full time job.  She worked various jobs over the years and eventually settled into a position at Radisson Ferncroft in Danvers from where she eventually retired.  During retirement she become a world traveler, along with her life-long friend and brother-in-law Robert Tivey of Centerville, Ma.  They traveled to China and walked the Great Wall, sailed through Antarctica, plus visited many places in -between.

Fran will be missed by everyone who knew her.  Her soul is now in heaven, meeting everyone who predeceased her whose lives she touched.  She will be missed as the matriarch of the Chandler family.

Service Details: A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Parker Funeral Home 35 Franklin St. Lynn on Saturday March 11th from 10:00 – 1:00 PM to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, a thoughtful donation to the American Cancer Society or The American Diabetes Association would make Fran happy and proud.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.