BOSCAWEN ---- Frances Despres, 85, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen, NH.
Frances was born on February 12, 1940, in Norwalk, CT, the daughter of Joseph and Frances Palinkas.
She worked at the Laconia State School as a caregiver. She enjoyed making a difference and connecting with her clients. Many years ago, while raising seven children, she drove a school bus for the Danbury, CT school system. She savored the special finds at tag sales every weekend while also attending to her gardens. During the summer you could find her swimming in the pool with her beloved dogs Jake and Harley.
Frances played a great game of poker along with many morning backgammon games with her husband. For all that knew Fran, you knew to beware of food fights at any BBQ.
Frances is survived by her children, Dennis and Rhonda Despres, Roberta Broussard, Denise and Denis Laplante, Robert and Jennifer Despres, Elizabeth and Keith Mcbey, George Despres, step daughter Deborah Brown, twenty grandchildren, Tara, Chrissy, Michelle, Ray, James, Michael, Justin, Kathryn, Denise, Brianna, Samantha, Stephanie, Jessica, Nicole, Christopher, Ryan, Lorissa, Amy, Aidan and Thomas, three sisters, Maryann Palinkas, Jean Mones, and Patricia Hope. Frances is predeceased by her beloved husband Robert R. Despres, son Raymond Despres, brothers John and Joseph Palinkas, stepdaughter Jeannette Despres and stepsons Robert S. Despres and Robert Wolfegang.
A Calling Hour will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 8:30am-9:30am, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated also on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:00am, at St. Andre Bessette Parish at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Burial will take place in the spring at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.