TOPSHAM — Frances Richards, 87, of Topsham, Maine, can now rest peacefully after courageously facing a series of challenging health issues with optimism and a positive spirit that was contagious. The daughter of Antonio Pina and Maria Mello, born in Taunton, Massachusetts, Frances passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015.

She grew up attending school in Massachusetts and graduated from Mary Immaculate High School in Providence, Rhode Island. On Nov. 19, 1949, she married Elmer R. Richards and they settled in Brunswick having twin daughters, Christine and Cynthia.

Frances worked outside the home first at Jay Brush then at Duval’s Bakery, and finally retiring as a baker from the Brunswick School Department.

She was proud of her Portuguese heritage, enjoyed socializing with friends, shopping, eating out, and spending time with family. She found great joy in raising her twin daughters and attending their many school activities. In most recent years she delighted in being with her granddaughter, Catrina, daughter of the late Christine (Richards) Carlson. Frances fondly reminisced of the wonderful moments shared just after Catrina’s birth when she traveled to Colorado to meet her first grandchild and help the new parents with the baby’s care.

Frances will be deeply missed, and will be remembered for her love of family, friends, and life, as well as her generous ways and kind words.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Elmer in 2011, and her daughter Christine in 2012. Surviving is a daughter, Cindy Richards of Durham, Maine; her granddaughter, Catrina Carlson from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Catrina’s father, Cory Carlson.

The family wishes to express its great appreciation to the patients and staff at the Coastal Maine Dialysis Center who became an extended family over the last nine years, and for the wonderful care that was provided by staff at Maine Medical Center and the Mid Coast Senior Health Center in Brunswick.

Family and friends are invited to attend services at Stetson Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick. Visiting hours are on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a service at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Gordon Cook officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery in Brunswick.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home where memorial condolences may be expressed and a video tribute may be viewed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.