Charleston, S.C. – Frances Elizabeth Fahey, formerly of Marlborough, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015 at her residence in Charleston, S.C. one week after celebrating her 94th birthday.
The youngest child of Nicholas and Elizabeth Ford Seymour, she married James Eugene Fahey Jan. 29, 1942 following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and immediately prior to Jim’s deployment with the First Marine Division to Guadalcanal. After the war, they raised two children, Jack and Elizabeth.
Frances worked all of her adult life, first for the Marlborough Hospital and later as Water Registrar for the City of Marlborough. As new parents, she and Jim also worked part-time from home, lacing moccasins for the Frye Shoe Company. Upon retirement, Frances became a very popular Kelly Girl, often returning to work back at Marlborough City Hall.
Frances was an accomplished baker especially noted for her cake decorations. An outstanding cook who loved to entertain, her home was always ready for company. Truly a “people” person, she was also knowledgeable in comparative religions, yoga, and holistic medicine. Her hobbies included doll making, ceramics, and designing tailored outfits. Every Friday and Saturday night, she and Jim could be found meeting old and new friends at her brother Nick’s restaurant, the Wildwood.
In 1988, Frances and Jim moved South to Summerville, then Charleston to be close to their grandsons, adding southern hospitality to their list of accomplishments. They enjoyed many years of traveling and socializing, both here and abroad.
After Jim passed away in 2004, Frances volunteered at the Charleston VA Medical Center. She was often recognized throughout the Charleston community as “The VA Cookie Lady.”
Francis was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ralph (Isabelle) and Nicholas (Marie) Seymour; her beloved husband; her father- and mother-in-law, Eugene and Anne Fahey; and her brothers-in-law, Francis (Helen) and William (Peggy) Fahey of Greenfield and their daughter Susan Fahey. She leaves to cherish her memories her son, Jack of Upton; her daughter, Liz, of Charleston; her grandson, James (Inmar) Geiger and their sons Charles (CJ) and Robert of Charleston; her grandson, Dale Geiger of King George, Va.; and her special extended family, Shawn Olsen (Amy), Amelia, Allison, and Ashton. “Aunt Bobby.” She also has many cherished nieces and nephews who have remained close to her throughout her life.
The family will receive guests Monday, Aug. 24, from 9-10:30 a.m., at the William R Short and Son Funeral Home, 95 W Main St., Marlborough. A Requiem Mass will commence at 11 a.m.at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., with subsequent burial in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the medical, nursing, activity, restaurant, housekeeping, and support staff at National Health Care (NHC) of Charleston for the outstanding care and love Francis received throughout her illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice or the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, c/o City of Charleston, P.O. Box 304, Charleston, SC 29402 (to donate by text, send “prayforcharleston” to 843-606-5995).
