Francis Marie Grant passed away on September 28th in Fresno, California, after a short illness.

Frances was born April 13,1936 in Rutland, VT to Josephine Lemmo La Piana and Michael La Piana. She lived in Vermont until moving to Hartford Connecticut, attending business school there and making many friends. She worked for Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance, then moved to San Francisco California in the late 50's, driving across the country with her friends to start a new adventure.

She met her husband Lowell Grant in San Francisco, and they married in 1962 and moved to Fresno California, where they built a house and raised their two children, Lisa and Michael. Lowell and Frances shared 42 wonderful years together until his passing in 2004.

Frances worked as a secretary in the insurance industry for many years, then moved to the Fresno Unified School District, where she worked until her retirement at the age of 80, with her last posting at Sunnyside High School. The friendships she formed during her years at FUSD were counted by her as one of the great blessings in her life. She traveled frequently with these friends, and all of her friends in life; and had adventures in China, Eastern Europe, and Europe; especially Italy, London and Paris. She was a great lover of all things Paris, and it remained her favorite place to travel to. She also took many cruises, and had trips around the United States including Hawaii and Alaska, and took frequent vacations in New England and on the east coast to visit her daughter Lisa and family members in Vermont and New York City.

Frances loved music and the theatre, and continued working part time after retirement at the Savemart Center, as she enjoyed seeing the musical acts there. She was a volunteer at the William Saroyan Theatre and enjoyed musicals, plays, and the opera. In December of 2023 she traveled to the east coast to visit her daughter and grandchildren, and to meet her new great-granddaughter; and they went to Broadway to see Some Like it Hot. She adored New York City, and visited often. She was always keen on new adventures, and had a terrific sense of humor.

Frances enjoyed all of her weekly luncheons, and was involved in many charities.

She had a life full of enormous blessings and was beloved by all of her many, many friends and family. She is survived by her brother Michael La Piana of Bullhead City, Arizona, her children Lisa Grant-Coffin of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Michael Grant of Fresno, California; her Goddaughter Victoria Covel of Portland, Oregon; and her beloved grandchildren: Alexander, Nicholas, Tyler, Spencer, Alyssa, Hayley, Morgan, and Emily. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Jacob, Alexander II, Emmett, Amethyst, Oliver, Robin, Freya, and Saoirse.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Frances' life is to be held at St. Anthony of Padua, 5770 N Maroa Ave, Fresno, CA 93704 on Wednesday, November 6th at 10:00 am. Reception is to follow at Frances' home. All are welcome.

"Paris is a divine section of eternity" - e e cummings