Frances M. Kearney

Frances Marion Kearney, a devoted mother, grandmother, and loyal friend, died in Hingham, Massachusetts on December 18, 2025. She was 99.

Born in Boston on January 21, 1926, the younger daughter of William J. Burke and Catherine E. Buckley, Frances was raised in West Roxbury and graduated in 1943 from Girls’ High School in Boston.

In 1941, the vivacious, brown-eyed, black-haired beauty captured the heart of Daniel Kearney, home from leave from the Army, and they were married on Leap Day, February 29, 1944, at St. Angela's Church in Mattapan. They shared a loving and devoted marriage for 64 years until Daniel's death in 2008.

A resilient woman of understated elegance, style and grace, Frances lived and died with immense strength, courage, and dignity. She worked hard, complained little, and made a lovely home for her family, first in Weymouth and then for 54 years on Hemlock Street in Braintree. She did this while working many different jobs, culminating with 25 years at Jordan Marsh Co., from which she retired. In 2009 Frances moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham and was an active and involved resident for over 16 years, making many dear friends.

A joiner and a doer, Frances was a member of the Braintree Garden Club and the Braintree Women's Club and, with Daniel, especially enjoyed being a member of the Braintree Historical Society.

Frances was also a dedicated volunteer for many organizations including South Shore Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Braintree Public Schools, Pine Street Inn, and St. Clare's Church, her parish for over fifty years.

A force of nature, Frances was vibrant, independent and very energetic. She had beautiful penmanship, which she regularly used to stay in touch with family and friends. She remembered every birthday, anniversary and occasion with a carefully chosen greeting card and personal note. A gracious hostess, Frances made all who entered her home feel welcome and special. Decades of joyous family Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were held at her and Daniel’s home.

Frances was a passionate card player, especially of whist and gin rummy, and was always very keen to win. She also enjoyed summer holidays on the Cape, watching the birds on her patio, solving word puzzles, reading, and gabbing on the phone.

An animal lover, Frances was a true cat fancier who also welcomed many dogs into her home. Her last cat companion, Willow, was a special favorite whom she deeply missed after his death in 2022.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents William and Catherine; her beloved husband Daniel; her much loved sister Dorothy; her dear grandchildren Kelly and Richard John; her caring daughters-in-law Linda and Cynthia; and her very special niece Andrea.

Frances is survived by her sons Richard Kearney (Jackie Swanson) of Hanover Mass., Kevin Kearney of Alachua Fla., Alan Kearney of Hingham, Mass., and her daughter Janice and son-in-law Joseph McKeever of Washington, D.C.

She is also survived by her dear daughter-in-law Dianne Cohen, very close longtime friends Janet Cole and Rosemary McNally, and her dear Kristine Clauss, who cared for Frances with loving kindness during the last five years of Frances’ life.

Frances was a devoted grandmother to Suzanne, Erin (Jade), Daneil, Matthew (Vicki), Daniel, and Deirdre and great-grandmother of nine.

Frances’ keen interest in others, her warm spirit, generous heart, and gift of making everyone feel loved and special will be missed and always remembered by those who knew and loved her.

The family will gather in early spring for Frances' interment with her husband Daniel at the Braintree Town Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy in Frances' memory may be made to:

Hull Seaside Animal Rescue (HSAR)

PO Box 787

Hull, MA 02045

hsar.org/donate

or

New England Wildlife Center (NEWC)

500 Columbian Street

South Weymouth, MA 02190

newildlife.org/contact-us/