MARSHFIELD — Frances Jane Wilde Boynton, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 26, 2018, with her husband of 46 years, Rev. Nehemiah Boynton III, by her side.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Webster and Jane (Holmstrom) Wilde, she grew up in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and raised her beloved family in South Dartmouth (Padanaram) before moving to Marshfield six years ago.
A graduate of Fairhaven High School, class of 1944, she went on to attend Colby Junior College for Women in New Hampshire, receiving her associate’s degree in 1946. She was a tutor in the New Bedford School system and worked at The Packet in South Dartmouth, amongst other things. Frances was a member of the Jolly Lobbers, her beloved Wednesday bridge group, and the Wamsutta Club, New Bedford Country Club and New Bedford Yacht Club.
She was a fun loving and vibrant person who brought her positive spirit, smile and laugh wherever she went. She found joy in every day; always awaiting the sun to break through the clouds. All throughout her life, she could be found on a beach; whether it be Anthony’s, Barney’s Joy, Crescent or Reid State Park. In her later years, she developed an affection for the Patriots and Red Sox and was often with family cheering them on, even the replays!
She was a loving wife and devoted mother and is survived by her brother, Webster Wilde Jr. and his wife, Rosemarie, of Clearwater, FL and eight children; Fred Braley and his wife, Jane, of Wayland, MA; Jane Braley Bowse of Medfield, MA; Betty Ann Nass and her husband, Ken, of Wilmington, NC; Carolyn Curwen of Tampa, FL; Joanne Haugstad and her husband, Peter, of Kingston, MA; Sallyann Roberts and her husband, Michael, of Duxbury, MA; Carter Boynton and his wife, Pat, of Fort Meyers, FL and Charlotte Boynton and her husband, Antonio San Phillipo, of Doha, Qatar. She is predeceased by two children, Paul and Grace Boynton. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren; Shaun Martin of Bolton, MA; Matt Braley of Boston, MA; Lauren Braley of Munich, Germany; Molly O’Sullivan of New Milford, CT; Connor O’Sullivan of Santa Clarita, CA; Cameron, Abigail and Kyle Haugstad of Kingston, MA; Haley Bowse of Medfield, MA; Michael Roberts of Boston, MA; Marguerite, Thomas and John Roberts of Duxbury, MA, Paul Boynton of Farmers Branch, TX and Michelle Boynton of Gothenburg, Sweden. She is also survived by her great grandchild, Xavier Martin.
Frances was the sister of the late Betty Smith Georgas and Sally Webster Hayward. She was also the former wife of the late George Frederick Braley, Jr.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth on Tuesday, July 31 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 306 Waverly Oaks Road, Watertown, MA 02452 (www.alz.org). A reception will be held at the church following the service.