Frances Ann (Farrell) Cowan passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, after a recent battle with complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Frances was the seventh of Edward and Marion (Haugh) Farrell’s fourteen children. Her father served as a New York City firefighter and her mother was a teacher. Growing up in such a large, lively family shaped her entire life. She adored her five sisters and eight brothers, along with the many cousins, aunts, and uncles who filled every gathering. Frannie had a natural gift with children and spent much of her youth caring for her younger siblings and her older siblings’ children. To all of them, she was simply “Aunt Frannie,” beloved beyond measure.
In the summer of 1964, Frannie took a bus trip with friends to Falmouth, Massachusetts, where she met a tall, skinny, young man from Newton (via South Boston) named Richard “Rick” Cowan. After a long distance courtship, they married in July 1966—a partnership that would span six decades.
Frannie and Rick eventually settled in Franklin, MA, where they raised their three sons and two daughters. Raising five children was the role she was born for. She was endlessly patient, energetic, and present. Whether it was sports, scouts, school events, birthday parties, or any new adventure her kids wanted to try, Frannie was there—cheering, organizing, driving, encouraging, and loving every minute of it.
When her children were older, Frannie worked as a library assistant at Dean College, a job she cherished. Perhaps it was the quiet, but more than anything she loved helping people find what they needed—and discovering something new herself. After retiring from Dean, she worked in the Franklin Public School libraries for many years.
Frannie’s world grew even brighter with the arrival of her seven grandchildren. She dropped everything—always—to care for them. She rocked babies to sleep with the same lullabies she once sang to their parents. She was patient, devoted, and proud of her grandchildren. Everyone knew that if you were visiting Grandma and Grandpa, you’d better bring the grandkids with you.
Frannie’s love for New York never faded. She relished trips back to see family, visit the beach, or spend a day in the city. The moment she stepped into Manhattan, her “city feet” were activated and she walked two blocks ahead of everyone else.
Cape Cod became a treasured place for Frannie, Rick, and their family. Over the years, Frannie took joy in gathering her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews as well as her dear mother-in-law in rented cottages in West Dennis. There was a special magic to those summers that came close to her love of New York.
Raised Catholic and educated by the Sisters of Stella Maris in Far Rockaway, Frannie remained deeply devoted to her faith and her parish, St. Mary’s in Franklin. She was active in the Catholic Women’s Club and taught CCD for many years. Most importantly, her faith never wavered, despite facing many challenges over her lifetime—challenges she never let anyone dwell on. She was unfailingly positive, always finding the bright side, always encouraging her children not to give up, saying: “Hey, you never know, you might get lucky.”
Her husband and children were, indeed, the lucky ones. Frannie’s love, patience, understanding, and humor enriched their lives. She never stopped giving of herself. Even as dementia quietly erased precious memories and beloved faces, it could not touch her kindness, her love of music and dancing, or her gentle, joyful spirit.
Frances is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Richard Cowan; her five children, Richard J. Cowan, Michael J. Cowan, Mary Beth Proctor, Kathleen (Adam) Riendeau and Robert (Lindsay) Cowan; her seven cherished grandchildren, Thomas Riendeau, Jack Riendeau, Charleigh Proctor, Reese Proctor, Luke Proctor, Ira Proctor IV, Daniel Cowan.
She is beloved by her sisters Joan, Monica, Marian as well as her brothers John, Joe, Steve and countless extended family including dear nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Mary and Winnie and brothers Edward, Michael, Thomas, James and Patrick.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 17th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin , 131 Main Street, Franklin (ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 18th at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Church, Church Square, Franklin, MA.
Livestream Mass: stmarysfranklin.org
Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Franklin.