Frances Anne Varcoe, age 83, of Stratford, passed away on March 26, 2025, in her home. She was born in Waterbury, CT on August 1, 1941, to the late Eldridge and Irene (Cadorette) Dufresne and had been a long-time Stratford area resident. Her French-Canadian heritage was important to Fran; she visited Canada many times and was thrilled to visit France. Only retiring at age 81, Fran was known as a compassionate realtor who worked relentlessly on behalf of her clients. She was especially proud of helping first-time home buyers and immigrants achieve their piece of the American dream. Most of her clients didn't know this: After her father died in the midst of building their home when Fran was three years old, she and her mother always rented. By the time of her death, Fran owned the house she lived in, and another one she rented out. It will be news to many that she also adored her earlier years of employment coordinating children's book fairs in schools.

During her "staying at home with the children" phase, Fran founded the Brookside Association to fight the development of a nearby wetland, sought out and purchased amazing American antiques on a shoestring budget, and used her antique, hand-cranked bread maker to make the family five loaves of 100% whole wheat bread every week. Although her marriage to Russell Varcoe ended in divorce, Fran sustained a caring relationship with him, and later his partner, as well as her in-laws. Fran's survivors include her devoted children; Elisabeth Varcoe (Rod Wolfson), Keith Varcoe (Rosanna Mercuri), Christopher Varcoe (Alison), and Emily Varcoe, six cherished grandchildren, Charlotte, Lydia, Evan, Andrew (Starr), Jack and Emma and her darling great-granddaughter, Goldie.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 02, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. James Church, 2070 Main Street Stratford. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Monroe. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com