LEWISTON — Frances Merriman Beam, 96, of Lewiston died Monday, April 15, 2013, at the Marshwood Center in Lewiston.

She was born January 25, 1917, in Topsham, the daughter of Ralph and Nellie (Hall) Merriman. She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1935 and Westbrook Junior College in Portland in 1937. On August 8, 1939, she married Philip C. Beam, professor of art at Bowdoin College and director of the Walker Art Museum.

She and her husband made their home in Topsham and Brunswick. In 2003 they moved to Lewiston to be closer to family.

A homemaker most of her adult life, Frances did volunteer bookkeeping for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and its Thrift Shop in Brunswick. She was a lively, outspoken and independent conversationalist, an avid and gifted bridge player, and a talented seamstress and enjoyed preparing gourmet meals for family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Rebecca Beam of Exeter, N.H.; her son Christopher Beam and his wife Joline of Lewiston; grandsons David Beam and his wife Clare of Arlington, Va., Michael Beam and his wife Sarah of Portland, and Gregory Beam and his wife Kimberly McKean of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Philip in 2005 and her three sisters and a brother.

A family commemoration will be held in May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beacon Hospice, Inc., 55 Lisbon Street, Suite 2600, Lewiston, ME 04240.