Frances E. Vandal: Optimistic World-Traveler, Frequent Crepeau Court Poll Worker

Frances E. (Burns) Vandal, 85, of Cumberland Hill died Sunday evening at The Holiday Retirement Home in Manville after an illness, according to Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home.

She was the wife of the late Normand O. Vandal.

Born March 4, 1927, in Woonsocket, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elodie (Peloquin) Burns.

Mrs. Vandal was a communicant of St. Joan of Arc Church in Cumberland, and previously a long-time communicant of Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket. She attended St. Anne’s School in Woonsocket and the Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, N.H.

Mrs. Vandal worked at the former Jacob Finkelstein & Sons Inc., a clothing manufacturer in Woonsocket for several years during and after World War II. She also worked at the former Betty Cesario’s women’s clothier at its Main Street, Woonsocket, and North Smithfield locations. She also was a frequent election worker, often assigned to the Crepeau Court polling place at 100 Front St.

Mrs. Vandal and her husband resided on Willow Street in Woonsocket for 35 years before moving to Cumberland. During that time, she accompanied her husband to many events involving the Knights of Columbus and the Woonsocket City Democratic Committee. She and her husband traveled widely after moving to Cumberland in 1982, including trips to Bermuda and Paris, France.

Mrs. Vandal was a member of St. Joseph’s Senior Citizens Club and St. Agatha’s Senior Citizens Club where she was noted for her sociability and optimism. She was previously a member of the Ladies Guild of Precious Blood Church.

She is survived by her son, Dennis C. Vandal, and his wife Etta, of Amherst, Mass., and a granddaughter, Tabitha M. Vandal of Manchester, N.H.

Her funeral will be Friday at 9 a.m. from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church, 3357 Mendon Road, Cumberland. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham.

Calling hours are Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 State St., Suite 200 Providence, RI. 02908.