PERU – Frances Elaine Holmquist passed away peacefully on Sunday Jan. 22, 2023, surrounded by her family at her beloved farm house. Frances, or mom or Gram or GG as most would call her, was 94.

Born in Dixfield, Maine, on July 2, 1928, she was a daughter of Claude and Gertrude (Welch) Merrill. Frances and her beloved husband established a life based on hard work and the power of family. They were married on Sept. 25, 1950, Frances and Ernest wasted no time building and running their family farm, soon filling it with 13 children. Frances lived an eventful full life on this earth and leaves behind a loving family to carry on her legacy.

Survivors include her children, Tina and John Monaco, Carolyn Holmquist, Joyce Dupuis, Maxine and Chico Russell, Frances (Tuffy) and Bob Blouin, Ernest Holmquist, Bert and Kathy (Rich) Holmquist, Deborah and Mark Roy, Bruce and Jean Holmquist, Penny Lemay, Peggy and Ron Richards, Wanda Holmquist, and Kathy Holmquist, 39 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, siblings, Edda and Margaret Merrill, Paul and Carol Merrill, Caddy Merrill, Cookie and Carolyn Merrill and Lorraine and Charlie Plaisted and Lois Bellegarde

After a long and rewarding life, Frances has joined her dearly departed husband, Ernest Holmquist Sr. of 73 years, Also awaiting her is sons-in-law Jake Dupuis, Daniel Lemay and David Noyes Sr., daughter-in-law DJ Holmquist and two grandchildren, Ernest, III and Amanda Lemay and siblings Leon Merrill, Eleanor Leo, Irvin Merrill, Erwin Merrill, Melvin Merrill, Carolyn Collins, Marilyn Batchelor and Laura Brown.

A woman of extreme strength and resilience, Frances will live on in all those who loved her.

Friends and family are invited to share memories with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m., on Saturday May 13, 2023, at the Demeritt Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, Maine.

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