Frances A. Keinz

Frances A. Keinz, our beloved “Mema,” died peacefully at her home after a brief illness on March 2, 2021. She was 95.

A member of the “Greatest Generation”, Fran was born on September 3, 1925 at New Britain General Hospital. She was the oldest of John and Antonia (Lang) Keinz’ three children. She was raised in New Britain and resided there for a substantial portion of her life.

After graduating from New Britain High School in the throes of World War II and after short stints at several New Britain businesses, she embarked on her forty plus year career at The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company. From clerk to secretary to trust officer, Fran was eventually named senior vice president in the trust department. She was a trailblazing woman, accomplishing all of this without a college degree. Friendly, humble and proficient, Fran was the one you went to when something important needed to be done.

With her good work friends, Alberta, Lois, Martha, Mary, Dottie, and Mary Ann, to name just a special few, she spent many happy years as part of the CBT family. Two former bank presidents, Jim English and Jim McNally, singled out Fran for special praise when they retired. Upon her retirement she began her second career as “Mema,” chief babysitter for Kelley, Katie and Chloe. When not babysitting Mema was traveling and routing for the Red Sox and Patriots.

Mema leaves behind her loving nephews and nieces and their spouses, Robert and Kimberly Wynne of Burlington, Laurie and Chris Moore of Hinsdale, NH, Chris and Nancy Keinz of North Branford, Mark and Roxanne Wynne of Old Saybrook, Beth Holden and Todd Harvey of Burlington, VT and Elizabeth and Randy Pelland of Torrington. She also leaves behind her grand nieces and nephews who were truly her pride and joy, Kelley Wynne, Chloe Wynne, Katie Achilli, Shannon Wynne, Michael Keinz, Samantha Harvey, Ethan Harvey, Kendra Olovson and Kyle Olovson. Fran is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Holden, of Burlington, VT and her brother, John Keinz, and his wife Gail of Orleans, MA.

On behalf of Fran and her family a special thanks goes out to the Bristol Hospital and its Hospice Care Unit, especially to Dr. Reyes and nurses, Katie, Arielle and Amber. Another special thank you goes out to the folks at Polish Helping Hands of Farmington and particularly to Mariam whose smile, humor and good cooking brightened our days.

Services will be private and O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Avenue, Forestville, is assisting the family. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory or photo, please visit her tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.

Donations in Fran’s name should be made to: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 228 W. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, info@crs.org.

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