Frances Anne MacDonald

Frances Anne MacDonald, 91, of Windham, NH, passed away on Sunday morning, September 20, 2026, at the Parkland Medical Center.

She was born on December 20, 1934, to Bessy Leonard (Mitchell) and William Jacob Cook. Fran was raised in Everett, MA, until the age of 10, when her family relocated to Saugus.

Although she had dreams of going to business school, Fran spent some time working in Boston, Ma, before marrying the love of her life, Robert L. MacDonald, Sr. on October 8th, 1954. The couple made their home in Tewksbury, MA, where they lived for 26 years. She truly loved being a homemaker and was in her element caring for her home and family. Fran and Bob later purchased a home in Windham, NH, where Fran has resided for the last 38 years. Fran also enjoyed spending time at their cottage on the lake in Wakefield, NH, or as the family referred to it, the “Duck Inn”. Many fond memories were cultivated there over the years, with her children and grandchildren.

In her free time, Fran loved shopping, ensuring that every outfit had matching accessories. She truly possessed an eye for decorating and took great pride in making her home beautiful. Fran lived for her family and friends. She was the most kindhearted, generous, and caring person you could ever meet. Fran always made sure to send out birthday cards or care packages to those she loved. She was also a woman of strong faith. As she grew up with a large family, she loved filling her home with family and friends. Her and Bob were always happy to help others, offering to help financially or opening their home when needed.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Jean Cook and her husband Russ, Jill (Jillian) Susan Belles and her husband Jack, and Robert “Bob” Layton MacDonald, Jr. and his wife Tania; Jeffrey Campos, Timothy Giles, Kristen Enos, Joshua Giles, Brandon Giles, Matthew MacDonald; her great grandchildren, Alyssa Giles Zissi, Sophie Johnson, Eva Giles, Jonathan Enos, MayLee Gordon, Liam Johnson, Roman Enos, Wesley Enos, Holly Enos, Adrian Rosa, Rockie Ladnow, Brooks Belles, and Lila Belles; her very close niece, who was more like a little sister, Lisa Walczak and her family, along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who she loved dearly; and her very special friends who she loved so much, Joyce, Sylvia and Ernie, Miriam and Art, Marty, Diane and many more including all of her friends at McCauley Commons.

In addition to her parents, Frances was predeceased by her husband, Robert Layton MacDonald, Sr. and her daughter Kathy Anne MacDonald, when she passed unexpectedly at the age of 16. Fran lived with this grief and pain for the past 51 years. She always let people know about Kathy and talked about her often to everyone. She kept her memory alive for all of these years.Fran was also predeceased by her siblings, Doris Stack, Dorothy Mitchell, Ethel Farrell, Ruth Cummings, Wilma Foster, Joan Lindquist, Arthur Cook and Donald Cook.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 25th, from 10 to 11am, with the Funeral Service beginning at 11am, at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham< NH 03087. Burial will follow at the Tewksbury Cemetery, East Road, Tewksbury, MA.

For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com.