Frances Elizabeth Marsh Was Devoted Volunteer

Frances Elizabeth Marsh died peacefully at Windemere Nursing Home on Saturday, Oct. 18. Her devoted husband, Kenneth, and the caring staff were by her side.

Frances was born in Island Pond, Vt., the daughter of Leslie and Eva Skinner. In the 1940s, she moved with her family to Maine and eventually settled in Dexter when she married Kenneth in 1950. There they were active in the construction of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah and thrift shop. She was also active in the Dexter Historical Society. Frances was known for her style and interest in antiques and interior decorating. She was a lifelong homemaker.

Frances is survived by her husband, Kenneth Marsh; her daughters and sons in law, Nancy and Donald Billing of Oak Bluffs and Shirley and John Cooledge of Naples, Fla.; a stepson, Eric Marsh, and his wife, Kathy, of Rockland, Me.; her grandchildren, Amy Billings and her husband, Christopher Welch, David Billings and his fiancée, Anita Landers, Lisa Spahlanger of Naples, Fla., Cmdr. Scott Cooledge and his wife, Joi of Washington and Terry and Bill Walther of Orleans. She also leaves her sister, Kathlyn Fyles, and niece, Jody Fyles of Portland, Me., and her niece and nephew, Roger and Judy Brawn of Dexter, Me. She leaves her great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Eva, Evan, Eric, Kristen, Jaime Lynn, Samantha, Joshua, Scott Michael, Andrew, Keri and Kara. Also surviving her are cousins Dorothy and Willard Pickel of Concord, N.H. Frances was predeceased by three grandchildren, Mark Cooledge, Donald Billings Jr. and Jonathan Billings.

A graveside service was conducted by her dedicated friend, the Rev. Alden Besse, in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Donations in her memory may be directed to the Windemere Van Fund, P.O. Box 1747, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.