Frances Pernas, 93, of Mattapoisett died December 30, 2009.
Frances, the youngest of the three daughters of the late Francis and Jeannette (Muñoz) Pernas of Crawford, NJ, was a graduate of Hillside Girls Boarding School and Wells College in Aurora, NY. Frances started her professional career working for the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, where she was, until her retirement, responsible for publication of their art books. Following retirement she moved to Mattapoisett with her sister Cristina King in 1964, also buying a home on North Street, in order to be near their eldest sister Andrea Briggs. The last few months of her life Frances spent at Our Lady's Haven rest home in Fairhaven, where she quietly passed away. Frances remained youthful of mind and spirit until the last. Anyone who spoke with her, even though her eyesight had been considerably reduced during the last few years, would think they were conversing with a young lady, as much from the youthful tone of her voice as the topics of her conversations. She laughed easily and had a contagious sense of humor which made her good company for anyone who came calling on her. She remained intensely interested in current events, listening daily to NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. She loved reading; her favorites being Shakespeare's King Lear and Tolstoy's War and Peace. As her eyesight began giving out she would listen to tapes of these books or have them read to her.
Frances, who never married, joyfully maintained an avid interest in all her nephews and nieces as well as their families. We will also remember her for her consistent kindness and deep concern for the welfare of others.
Survivors include her nieces and nephews, William Briggs, III and his wife Kathleen of Indiana, Peter Briggs and his wife Anne of Mattapoisett, Frank King and his wife Marion of Utah and Eloise Ricciardelli of Mattapoisett; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Becky, William, IV, James, Peter, Hazel, Susan, Catherine, Paul, Valerie, Daniel, Melinda, Heather, Christopher, Marie-Josée, Cassandra and Matthew.
She was the sister of the late Cristina King and Andrea Briggs, aunt of the late Jane Newman and Marita King, great-aunt of the late Marc Ricciardelli.
Her Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mattapoisett Land Trust, Inc. P.O. Box 31 Mattapoisett, MA 02739.