PORTLAND – Frances H. Paris of Portland passed away at Legacy Memory Care in Falmouth on June 7, 2021, at the age of 86.Fran was born on Dec. 30, 1934 in Springfield, Mass., to the late Albert and Rachel Howes. She grew up in Wilbraham, Mass. where she attended the Little Red Schoolhouse and made lifelong friends. She graduated from Technical High School in Springfield in 1952, then entered the University of Vermont as a nursing major, graduating in 1957, with a B.S. in Nursing. While at UVM she met her future husband of 57 years, the late Daniel Newland Paris. Fran and Dan married in 1957, on Dan’s return from service in Korea. The couple moved to Seattle where Fran worked at Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Hospital while Dan earned a master’s degree in social work. While in Seattle, the couple welcomed their first child, Susan, in 1959. In 1960, the family moved back to New England where their son, Danny, was born in 1960 and their daughter, Bonnie, in 1964. Fran and Dan raised their family in Middletown, Conn. They were active members of the First Congregational Church, where she and Dan spearheaded the church’s move to becoming Open and Affirming. She also advocated on behalf of children with special needs, founding, with Dan, an organization for parents of special-needs kids. Although Fran had trained as a nurse, her first love was working with children, and she served as a special education para-educator for 15 years in Middletown, Conn. schools. Fran had roots in Bingham, where the family enjoyed time in the summer at her grandfather’s camp on Wyman Lake. They also enjoyed many summers of camping near Pine Point in Scarborough.Fran and Dan retired to Maine in 1993 and bought a small camp on Panther Pond in Raymond. They joined Woodford’s Congregational Church, where they again participated in the Open and Affirming process, and were active members of PFLAG. Fran continued her love of working with children as a volunteer at Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Fran and Dan made the best of their retirement years on Panther Pond, where they enjoyed hosting family and friends from far and wide.Fran is survived by her sister, Jill Howes, of Wayne; daughter, Susan Paris and spouse Lisa Munderback of South Portland, son, Dan Paris and wife Patti of Anchorage, Alaska, daughter, Bonnie Paris of Portland; and grandson, Robie Newman-Paris, of Boston. Also surviving her are niece, Cathy Paris and husband Dave Barrington and family; and nephews Charlie and Paul King and families. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; her niece, Rachel King and nephews Stephen and David Paris.Fran was a thoughtful person who loved and nurtured her family and advocated fiercely for social justice and equal opportunity. She will be dearly missed. A memorial gathering will be held at Woodford’s Congregational Church, Portland, July 19, 10:30 a.m. Friends are invited to make a contribution toCamp Sunshine,35 Acadia Rd.,Casco, ME 04015; or theAlzheimer’s Association,383 US Route One #2C,Scarborough, ME 04074