Mary Rita (Sullivan) Francotte, 92, of Fairhaven died Sunday May 8, 2016 at Our Lady's Haven after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Francis J. Francotte.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late John J. and Evelyn (Poirier) Sullivan, she resided in Marion until moving to Fairhaven in 1969. As a young girl, she and her family spent summers at Wigwam Beach, Fairhaven.
Mrs. Francotte was briefly employed by the Marion Telephone Exchange until they modernized to dial phones. She was later employed at the Alumni and Development Office at Tabor Academy for 25 years until her retirement.
She had been a member of the Mission Belles and the Altar Guild of St. Rita's Church in Marion. She was also a member of the Marion Democratic Party during the Kennedy campaign.
Mrs. Francotte was a graduate of Holy Family High School, Class of 1941.
Survivors include her daughter, Katherine R. Marshall, of Connecticut; a sister, Dorothy Salopek of Milpitas, CA; a brother, John J. Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Kay of Gilroy, CA; two granddaughters, Marlene E. (Vieira) Scerrato and Jennifer L. (Vieira) McNellis, both of Connecticut; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements and services were private. Those who wish to make a donation in her memory may donate to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org/give.