Frances Elizabeth (Cahill) Griffin

Frances “Franzie” Elizabeth Griffin, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Fran was born on July 2, 1929, in Everett Massachusetts. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Revere in 1947 and later Katherine Gibbs College.

As a young girl, Fran would often accompany her father—who served as the Massachusetts Democratic State Chairman during the 1940s and 1950s—to both local and national political events. In later years, she would regale family and friends with stories of having met President Roosevelt at his 1944 Inaugural and President Truman at his 1948 Inaugural, but one of her favorite stories involved JFK’s first run for Congress in 1946. Seated at the front of a large group listening to the future President speak, Fran suddenly got up and walked out of the hall. This earned her a disapproving look from the host, former Mayor of Boston "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald. What the mayor did not understand, however, was that Fran thought JFK was so good looking that she decided to bring in her older sister so she could meet him! Apparently, Fran passed on meeting President Eisenhower since he was a “dreadful” Republican. She remained a devout and loyal Democrat throughout her life.

“My mother was a force of nature,“ said her son Chris. “She had a humble upbringing in Everett and was born at the outset of the Great Depression. In addition, she lost all four of her siblings by the time she was 24 and yet she never let these hardships hold her back. In some ways, she was a poster child for the ‘The Greatest Generation,’ that age group of Americans which is universally accepted as the toughest and most selfless generation in our country’s history. There was no quit in my mom. With her it was always, ‘don’t worry, let’s figure it out.’ She very much instilled that attitude in her extended family.”

“Any discussion of my mom wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her sense of humor,” added her son Corey. “Whenever she was around, you always knew something funny would happen. She was good for at least one unfiltered and totally nonsensical observation or a completely made-up word at every outing. Plus, the stories of her driving adventures were legendary—of course, she was never at fault.”

“My mother identified as a mom first and foremost. Simultaneously, she built an admirable real estate career, often working 80-hour weeks,” said her son Rob. “Her prioritization of family and exceptional work ethic are the traits for which she will be remembered.”

Fran served as a flight attendant for Allegheny (Eastern) Airlines before marrying in 1955, settling in Scituate and starting a family. Embarking on a second career in 1973, she became a successful real estate agent and was annually recognized as a top producer on the South Shore. Fran was also a tireless advocate and fundraiser for her three sons’ Scituate hockey programs.

Fran is survived by her sons Rob (Cathy), Chris (Claire) and Corey Griffin (Dee Dee). She is also survived by many grandchildren: Mike (Sophie), Casey Giudicelli (Bryan), Courtney, Caroline, Charlie, Willie, Kelly, Danny and Sean Griffin. Additionally, she is survived by great-grandchildren: Charlie, Maddy and Griffin Giudicelli and Gracie Griffin. She was predeceased by her four siblings, Peggy, Rita, John and James Cahill, her husband Robert Griffin and her beloved grandson Corey Griffin.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, January 26 from 4 to 7 PM at the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home at 1 Summer Street in Cohasset. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 27 at 10 AM at the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 2 Summer Street in Cohasset. In lieu of flowers, please send donations payable to The Corey C Griffin Foundation at 67 West St, Medfield, MA 02052. Donate online or learn more about the charity, a treasured cause for Fran founded upon the passing of her grandson, Corey, at COREYSKIDS.ORG.

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