On April 27, 2023, Frances “Fran” J. Warren passed away while being cared for at the Beehive Assisted Living in Butte, MT. She was born in Boston, MA on October, 9, 1937.
Frances moved from Boston to Butte in 1954 and shortly after, married Joseph Warren. Her husband passed away in 1959 while serving in the Air Force. Mom was left with raising three children. Mom was indeed, a loving, caring mother.
Mom worked as a waitress, house cleaner, and a home care companion to seniors. She worked extremely hard to raise her children, mostly as a single parent. Mom enjoyed doing ceramics, baking cakes, dancing, and going to garage sales.
Mom had a heart for the less fortunate and tried to help whenever possible. When some of her late husband’s siblings landed on hard times, she was there to help.
Mom met the love of her life, Geno Witt, and they spent many years together. Although they parted ways, they always remained very good friends.
Mom suffered from macular degeneration and was later unable to drive, but that didn’t stop her from getting out. Usually, three to four times a week, Mom made her daily trip to Wal Mart with the help of her children, grandkids and close friends. One thing you never wanted to do when picking Mom up was to be late – or you would never hear the end of it.
Mom is preceded in death by her mother Lillian Hawk, father Francis Ouillette, sister Madeline McCaslin, brother Bobby Hawk, and nephew Rudy McCaslin. Mom is survived by her two daughters, Debbie & Paul Laird, Brenda & Florian Cortese, and son Joe & Charlene Warren. She was the proud grandmother to 8 grandkids, 18 great grandkids, 2 great-great grandkids and another due in July. Frances will go down as a Butte legend and a force to be reckoned with!
Her children would like to express their sincere appreciation to the ladies at the Beehive for the wonderful care they gave to our mom. Their care was above and beyond kind. A special thanks to all the hospice nurses (Karli) for their wonderful treatment to our mom, and to Timothy Hawe for the many visits he made to mom’s home throughout the years.
A memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Ramada Inn, 2100 Cornell Ave., Butte, Montana. Attendees are invited to stay for a reception following the service.
To leave a condolence or share a memory of Frances, please visit below.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Service has been privileged to care for Frances and her family.
Charlene Warren says
Oh Frannie – I so wish I could have had more time with you. 💔 It was always fun to sit at your kitchen table and just visit and talk about Butte and all the people we knew.
You were the best ever mother-in-law ever. You will be missed by so many of us.
Til we meet again lil lady….love ya!
Joe says
Mom there are not enough words to express what you meant to me. The days ahead are going to be very hard, but you taught me how to be strong and I will be forever grateful. Life will never be the same without you. Your love will carry me for the rest of my life.
Your Son
Bruce Schadler says
My mother’s best friend and family idol , we all looked toward her for comfort and guidance. We enjoyed spending time with, listening to stories about are mom. She could tell them better than anyone. She always watch over us and stood by us just as if she was are own mother. She will be remembered by all of us until we are with her again.
Amanda Cullen says
Joe, Brenda, and family
I am so sorry for the pain you are feeling right now. If she was anything like the two of you I’m sure she had a bright soul with a fighting spirit. May God be with during this difficult time and help guide you along the way. Hold onto the memories because those are what will get you through.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Amanda Cullen
Marianne Peck says
Sad to hear of f.Francises passing.She was a dear friend to me and many.God Bless her and her family and loved ones.
Michelle Orofino says
Dear Fran,
You will never know how your kindness and nurturing has stayed with me. It was a blessing to reconnect with you and your three children. I carry wonderful memories from early childhood into adulthood. You were an angel on earth and now an angel in heaven. I love you mommy
Linda Schneider says
Fran my heart is so broke. Thank you for always being there for us. You were one of a kind! You were in our lives for 71 years. The time and years went by so fast. You raised three beautiful children and I am so proud to be their Aunt. Thank you for loving us and never judging things we might have done wrong. I remember pouring my heart out to you and you listened to my every word. You hugged me and said things would be ok. Debbie, Joe and Brenda I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom will be watching you all from heaven! She was one special woman. I love you all.
Carlyn Holland says
My dear Fran, as I sit here Thinking of you I can hear your sweet voice as plain as day. I cannot express in words how much it meant to me having you in my life for all of those years. I guess like everyone else I thought you would always be there, and in spirit you will be!!!
Debbie, Brenda and Joe I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your mom with us. Her love kept us alive and she will be missed more than anyone could ever know. Love you guys!!!
Stacy Leipheimer says
Deepest sympathies to Joe ,Char and families. There is nothing on this earth as precious as our mothers.
Julie Riley says
Nassir and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to each of you and Joe’s family. ✝️
Gina Alto says
I remember being very young; I think I was maybe six years old? When my dad took me down to meet Francis, she lived by the Montana tech college. I remember there were kids around and – kids running around all over, her kids and the neighbor kids. I instantly liked her. I think I instantly liked her because she had a way with kids and just loved them. Later on my dad was teaching me how to drive (in in those days it was more lax), I sat on his lap while he was driving and I kept looking over at her because I had the wheel and she was laughing so hard because I kept looking at her saying “look at me I’m driving!” and my dad kept saying “keep your eyes on the road!”and she laughed and laughed . Another time dad & I were going somewhere and Franny pulled up beside us on main street and dad, reved his engine and mouthed the words “Wanna race?” and Fran had that twinkle in her eye and she actually kept up with dad in her car ! Even as we both were going over the railroad tracks on Main Street both of our cars were a little bit airborne! She was such a good sport! My dad loved her, and he loved her kids and grandchildren♥️ I will always be so grateful to have been raised around Frans ,daughter, Brenda It was been a blessing in my life. Condolences to Joe, Debbie and Brenda and their grandchildren and great grandchildren. I will never forget your mom. She gave my dad a beautiful family and a lot of beautiful memories that he always cherished .
Rebecca Warreen says
So many memories that go back when you were the family next door….52 years ago! Time waits for no man. You bought me my first couch and bedroom set because we graduated high school. We went off to make a family that lasted 46 years and you were so proud of babies making it work. I’ll never forget going to the judge so I could marry because I was carrying your first grandchild! He spent a lot of time with you. So happy we spent 18 years here in Butte again with you. Thanku sweet mom in law…love Becky Warren