She was born the fourth of ten children in Stillwater on Sept. 23, 1921, a daughter of Levi and Elsie (Goodine) Hutchings. She was a graduate of Bucksport High School, class of 1941.
Frances moved to Saco after high school where she worked as a maid and also at the shipyard in the South Portland before she was employed at Saco Lowell Shops / Maremont Corporation for over forty years. This is where she met her husband Bob and they were married on Nov. 30, 1946.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed arts, crafts and crocheting. Frances volunteered at Dayton School Library for ten years. She was known by the students as the cookie lady, always baking special cookies for all the children.
Her family will cherish and hold on to many loving memories. Her home was always full of laughter, good food and good friends. She will forever remain in our hearts.
She was preceded in death by: her husband Robert D. Bissell on Feb. 2, 1994; four brothers, George, Lester, Roy and Arnold; and by three sisters, Grace, Josephine and infant, Dorothy.
She is survived by: her daughter Kathy Tarbox and her husband, Peter, two grandsons, Zach Tarbox and his wife, Cristina, and Seth Tarbox; one sister, Elsie Crockett; one brother, Fred Hutchings and several nieces and nephews.
A Graveside Service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford at a later date.
To view Frances memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less