Frances (Feingold) Gordon

Frances (Feingold) Gordon, 102, a lifelong resident of Worcester passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 11, 2023, six days before she would have celebrated her 103rd birthday on July 17th.

Frances was born on July 17, 1920, in Worcester, one of four daughters of the late Bernard and Rose (Rapaport) Feingold.  Frances married the “love of her life” Alexander Gordon in 1945, and they were a wonderful team until Alex’s passing in 1999.  They raised their two daughters, Margery Elaine Gordon of Washington, DC and the late Janet Lynne Gordon with faith, love and devotion.   

Frances is survived by her devoted daughter Margery Elaine Gordon of Washington, DC, as well as adoring nieces, nephews, and many other beloved extended family members and friends, including great and great great nieces and nephews as well as amazing caregivers.  She is predeceased by her parents, husband, cherished daughter Janet who passed in 1978, and three sisters, Lenore Richter of Bethesda, MD and wife of the late Melvin Richter, Ethal Goldberg of Marblehead, MA and wife of the late Simon Goldberg, and Shirley Sterman of Marblehead, MA and wife of Marvin Sterman.  

Raised in Worcester, Frances graduated from Classical High School in 1937 and earned her bachelors in education from Worcester State College in 1941.  She then took on a life and career guiding children as a teacher for the city of Worcester at Nelson Place school from 1966 - 1985 and prior to that at the Calvin Coolidge School in Shrewsbury from 1941 – 1948.  She taught for over 28 years before her retirement in 1985. 

Frances and Margie traveled extensively later in her life, visiting numerous countries across the globe and also spending wonderful time closer to home in beautiful spots in New England.  Frances was the matriarch of the Feingold family in recent years.  Her family was always amazed at her ability to give timely and relevant advice no matter the topic or decade.  Her resilience as well as her joyful and loving personality were remarkable and were admired by all.  She touched so many and made impressions on everyone she met.

Frances was passionate about giving back to her community.  She was a member and former religious education teacher of Temple Emanuel/Sinai.  She was also a volunteer and member of the Worcester Art Museum, a life member of the Jewish Healthcare Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Temple Emanuel Sisterhood and Hadassah, a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, a board member of the Worcester Music Guild, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, a member of the Women’s Division of Brandeis University, a former board member of the Music Guild, a former board member of the Biological Foundation, a member of WISE (Worcester Institute for Senior Education), and a board member of the Bet Shalom Apartments.

Graveside services for Frances will be held Today (Thursday), July 13th at 11 am in B’nai Brith Cemetery, St John Road in Worcester.  Memorial observance will be held on Thursday July 13th following the service and Friday July 14th in the afternoon at her home, 18 Chippewa Rd, Worcester.  The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to assist the family with arrangements.   To view live streaming during funeral please go to www.mercadantefuneral.com and click on live services.