Frances Lynn

MIDDLEBORO - Frances Lavinia (Mills) Lynn died Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 at her home, surrounded by loved ones. She was 74. Born in Birmingham, England, to Sarah (Hall) Mills and James Mills on Feb. 27, 1943, Frances was the loving wife of Michael Lynn (also from Birmingham) just shy of fifty-four years. She joined Michael in the United States in 1964. Frances was a devoted caregiver, spending her life committed to serving others both in her family and her community, particularly those with special needs and the elderly. She managed the Middleboro Rest Home and personally ensured that all of the residents were placed in loving homes when the rest home closed. She opened her own home to many individuals with special needs including Bob Davis, Donna Defren, and Beverly Harkins, who lived with them for more than 14 years. Frances allowed these individuals a new lease on life, improved health and wellbeing, and opportunities for speech, mobility, and creative expression they would have otherwise missed. Frances also cared deeply for and worked in the Middleboro High School Special Education Program from 1999-2014 specializing in work placement and job coaching. She made good on her goal to help students find confidence and empowered them to earn their own living. She stood up for folks who needed a voice, freely spoke her mind, and always had time for people. She'd be the first to show up to help any situation and the last to leave after cleaning up. Frances was an avid advocate and lover of the Arts. She volunteered hundreds of hours in community theater as a performer, costumer, stage hand, and set painter with Middleboro Special Events, Taunton Players and the High School's Speech and Theater Workshop for more than a two decades. As a young women, she was a master-awarded ballroom dancer - in the 60's she instructed for Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Boston. Frances never missed a production, recital or sports event for her children - she was a Brownie Leader, and 4-H Crafts Facilitator in their elementary years. She was also a Deaconess at the First Congregational Church of Middleboro, and a joyful soprano in their Choir. A volunteer seamstress for the ARC of Middleboro, she taught children with disabilities to sew and together they made a Dr. Seuss quilt that still hangs in the Middleboro Town Library today. A green thumb and gardening maven, she had her yard, gardens and surrounding woods officially designated as a "natural habitat" with plans to give tours and classes on outdoor education for young people to experience local plants and animals. She enjoyed fishing, canoeing, clamming and quahogging, anything by the water and traveling to new places. She supported the fire fighters, police, animal welfare and the autobahn society in charities. Frances was adored by her students, neighbors, lifelong friends, and her special gal group, the Pink Flamingos. Frances leaves behind her husband, Michael, daughter Michele D. Lynn of Las Vegas, Nevada, son Peter J. Lynn, of Fairplay, Colorado, with wife Kerry (Hollick) and beloved granddaughter Amelia Frances Jean Lynn, and sisters Kathleen Mills, of England, and Marion Slater, of Spain, who stayed many months to help care for her sister, as well as Chico Fuerte the adoring grand-dog. Frances Lynn's Celebration of Life is planned for April 14th, at the Loon Pond Lodge, 28 Precinct St, Lakeville, MA 02347. Doors open 10-11am, Services 11am-12pm, Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you consider making a donation to one of Frances's favorite charities, Soule Homestead Education Center www.soulehomestead.com