Frances G. (Marshall) Whalon: Miss 4th of July, 1953

Frances G. (Marshall) Whalon, 76, of Child Street, Warren and formerly of Bristol, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Melvin A. "Mel" Whalon.

Born in Providence and raised in Bristol, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Marine) Marshall. A resident of Warren for 41 years, she previously resided in Bristol.

She was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, Bristol, Class of 1954. Fran worked as a administrative assistant for the State of Rhode Island in the Department of Labor and Training Office for 28 years before retiring in 1991. She was Miss 4th of July in 1953 and was a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Church, Bristol and a member of the former House of Judah Prayer Group in Bristol for many years. Fran also loved writing poetry.

She is survived by her children, Charlene A. Tributino (Jorge) of Lakeland, FL, Nancy A. Tracy (Thomas) of Warren, Karen Harris (Robert) of Largo, FL and Frederick C. Cavallaro (Cathy) of Barrington, ten grandchildren, Jared Tributino (Pamela), Thomas McConnell, Crystal Tributino, Adam Tracy, Shaun McConnell (Sheena), Staff Sgt. Jordan Tributino, USMC, Brandon McConnell, Shanley Tracy, Chelsea Tributino and Kyle Cavallaro, six great grandchildren, Aubrea, Kaylee, Skyla, Grace, Adalynn and Kiana, a sister, Patricia Green and two brothers, Michael and Charles Marshall, all of Bristol. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Marshall.

Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 at 10 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. Elizabeth's Church, 577 Wood St., Bristol. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground, Hope Street, Bristol.

Visiting hours Friday, Jan. 25, 2013 from 4 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Fourth of July Committee - Miss 4th of July Pageant, P.O. 561, Bristol, RI 02809 or to the Warren Rescue Squad, 1 Joyce St., Warren, RI 02885 or to the VNS of Newport and Bristol Counties - Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com