Frances Marguerite Chandler Stirgwolt was born October 8, 1924, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Frank Otho Chandler and Jennie Frances Pension. She died September 10, 2026 in Danvers, Massachusetts, less than a month from her one hundred and second birthday. She lived a long full life with grace and purpose.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, her eight grandchildren, and her five great-grandchildren: Pam Warren and Peter Warren; Gary Stirgwolt and Jane Brady Stirgwolt and their children, Anna Brady Estevez Stirgwolt and her husband Francisco Estevez Molinero, Nellie Snell and her husband Cliff Snell, and Hazel Spires and her husband Ken Spires; Philip Stirgwolt and Patrizia Rustichelli and his children Peter Stirgwolt and Caitlin Stirgwolt; Karen Stirgwolt and Giles Whittell, and their children Bruno Whittell, Louis Whittell, and Enzo Whittell, and her great grandchildren, Lincoln Snell, Christian Snell, Theia Estevez Stirgwolt, Marie Estevez Stirgwolt, and Ted Snell. She filled their lives with beautiful holiday celebrations, breakfast on Singing Beach, the best homemade apple pies, peppermint patties, songs, stories, and dancing. She will be greatly missed.
Predeceased by Ted Stirgwolt, her husband of seventy-three years. Frances and Ted were veterans of World War II. After the War, they met at a mixer thrown by General Electric to entertain their employees. They shared a long and loving marriage, created a beautiful family together, and traveled the world. They lived together in Massachusetts, Ohio, France, and Maine, most recently living in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Frances loved being part of the Pension, Chandler, Kennedy, and McNichols families. During her four decades in Manchester, she was a long-term member of the Manchester Yacht Club and the Manchester Women’s Club, a Sacred Heart catechism teacher, an elementary school teaching assistant, a substitute teacher and line dancer. Frances cared most about her family. Her greatest joy was relishing in the affection and attention of her loved ones.
A service will be held at Mary Queen of the Apostles Church in Salem, Massachusetts, on October 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In honor of Frances, no gifts or flowers, please. Donations may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, or simply honor her memory by being open and kind to all.
