Frances (Chimiklis) Campbell, 95, passed away Thursday evening, February 28, 2019, at Mount Carmel Nursing Center in Manchester, NH surrounded by her loving family. Frannie (known to most in later life as YiaYia) was born on June 22, 1923 in Nashua, N.H., the youngest daughter and one of nine children of the late George and Vasiliki Chimiklis, both natives of Greece. As a teenager, Frannie worked with her siblings in their father’s wholesale fruit and vegetable business, which her family ran for 38 years until her parents retired to California in 1959.
She was a graduate of Nashua High School and then went on to complete a secretarial program in Beverly, MA. In 1954 she met the love of her life, Philip Campbell, who was a Sales Manager for Doehla Greeting Cards in Nashua N.H., where she worked as a clerk in the Payroll Department. Frannie often joked that she only agreed to date Phil after checking out his paycheck first.
They married in 1955 and settled in Nashua until relocating to Longmeadow, MA in 1966. They loved Longmeadow and raised their three children there. In 1982, Frannie and Phil returned to NH, moving first to Peterborough and then Bedford after Phil’s retirement.
Frannie was a warm, energetic, determined and creative woman. She had many passions: gardening, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, and calligraphy, to name just a few. She was a wonderful cook (although dinners might not be served until 10 pm) and a welcoming hostess who loved throwing parties, large and small.
In the tradition of her Greek heritage, few left her home without at least one shot of Metaxa (‘for good health, of course! ”). She was an independent woman, ahead of her time.
When girls weren’t allowed to wear pants to school, she sent her daughter off in a pantsuit she had made for her. When the school tried to suspend her daughter, she stormed into the principal’s office and slammed the door. The next day the school changed the dress code for all girls.
Frannie loved being a mother and was fiercely protective of all her children – they always knew that in any situation, she had their back. Frannie lost Phil one month before their 60th wedding anniversary in 2015. They enjoyed all of their years together, travelling around the country to attend their sons’ lacrosse games and vacationing in Nova Scotia and the Caribbean, especially Barbados, often with friends and family.
Before Phil passed away, you could find the two of them sitting and holding hands every afternoon at Mt. Carmel, always followed by a good night kiss! Frannie is survived by her three children, daughter Karen Graham and her husband Joseph of Bedford, NH; son Kevin and wife Christine (Bourgeois) Campbell of Lakeville, MA; and son Keith Campbell of Longmeadow, MA and his partner, Angela Basile Cosenzi.
As much as Frannie enjoyed being a mother, her greatest pleasure came later in life with her six grandchildren who all adored their YiaYia; Zachary and Zoe Graham; Paige and Ali Campbell; and Kristopher and Kathryn Campbell. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Frannie was predeceased by her five sisters and three brothers.
Frannie’s family would like to express their most heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care both parents received during their years at Mt. Carmel. “YiaYia” was adored by many of her caregivers who loved her like family, and her children are forever grateful to them all.
On Thursday morning, March 7, 2019 there will be a wake from 10:00 – 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA and immediately following the wake there will be a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am also at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow the Mass at Longmeadow Cemetery in Longmeadow, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances Campbell’s memory to the Mount Carmel Healing Garden Improvement Project, Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle Street, Manchester, NH 03104.
Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements and for more information please contact www. toomeyobrien.com.
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