SPRINGFIELD – Frances A. “Franny” (Caggiano) Benoit, 81, a longtime resident of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. She passed into Eternal Life surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Springfield on July 29, 1933, a beloved daughter of the late Anthony G. and Lucy M. (Frangiamore) Caggiano. She graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield and later received her certification as a hairdresser and worked for several area funeral homes. She was employed by the former F.W. Sickles Company in Chicopee and the Forbes & Wallace Department Stores and the Breck Company, both in Springfield. She later worked at several local restaurants including The Keg Room, Dillon’s and the Boulevard Restaurant, all in Springfield. She was a well-known caterer for many years and operated Fran & Ann’s Catering in Springfield. Franny was well-known in city politics and was a 40-year voting poll worker and Warden at the Raymond Sullivan Fire Station in East Springfield. She was a 25-year President for all of the Springfield branches of the Springfield Golden Age Club and was a tireless worker for our senior citizens. She was a member and Past President of the Mary O. Pottenger School PTA and taught ceramics to many people in the North End section of Springfield. She was also a longtime volunteer for the Saint Mary Church Athletic Association. In 2008, she received the Distinguished Italian Servian Award for her many years of volunteer work. During her leisure time, she enjoyed cooking, bingo, shopping and visiting the casino. She was a member of the Woman’s Guild at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and a communicant of the former Saint Mary Church, now Mary, Mother of Hope Church, in East Springfield. Most of all, she was a loving woman who adored her family and many friends and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. For many years, Fran and her husband, Benny, opened their home to several friends in need and never turned anyone away who needed their help or a roof over their heads. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her loving son-in-law, Mark S. Sweeney who was Called Home on January 29, 2010; and her beloved husband and best friend, Maurice J. “Benny” Benoit who was Called Home on September 25, 2013. They were married on May 1, 1954 at Saint Mary Church in East Springfield and were blessed with over 59 years of happiness together. She leaves her devoted daughter, Annemarie Sweeney of Wilbraham, her loving son, Peter A. Benoit and his wife, Elizabeth, of Hampton, VA; her five cherished grandchildren, Brandon Sweeney, Maurica Sweeney, David Benoit, Joseph Benoit and Gabrielle Benoit; her dear brother, Gerald Caggiano and his wife, MaryLee, of Exton, PA; her dear brother-in-law, Guy Robert Benoit and his wife, Judith, of Olean, NY; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Benoit and Caggiano families. Her family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, April 6, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. Her funeral and burial for her family will be private. Her family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in her memory to the Providence Behavior Health Hospital, Older Adult Patient Activity Fund, c/o SPHS Fund Development, PO Box 9012, Springfield, MA 01102-9012. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com