TOPSHAM — Frances Richards, 87, of Topsham, died Aug. 10, after battling a series of difficult health problems.

The daughter of Antonio Pina and Maria Mello, she was born in Taunton, Massachusetts. She attended local schools and graduated from Mary Immaculate High School in Providence, Rhode Island.

On Nov. 19, 1949, she married Elmer R. Richards, and the couple settled in Brunswick. There, they raised twin daughters, Christine and Cynthia. In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Frances worked at Jay Brush and then at Duval’s Bakery. She eventually worked as a baker for the Brunswick School Department, from which she retired.

Richards was proud of her Portuguese heritage, and enjoyed socializing with friends, shopping, eating out, and spending time with family. She found great joy in raising her daughters and attending their many school activities. In most recent years, she delighted in being with her granddaughter, Catrina.

Richards was predeceased by her husband in 2011, and her daughter, Christine, in 2012.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Richards, of Durham; her granddaughter, Catrina Carlson, of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Catrina’s father, Cory Carlson.

The family wishes to express its great appreciation to the patients and staff of the Coastal Maine Dialysis Center, who became an extended “family” over the last nine years, and to the staff at Maine Medical Center and Mid Coast Senior Health Center in Brunswick.

A service was held Aug. 15 at Stetson’s Funeral Home, in Brunswick, with the Rev. Gordon Cook officiating. Interment followed in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Richards’ memory to the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.

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