Frances Minifie

Frances T.J. Minifie, a longtime resident of Newport, Rhode Island, died there on May 31, 2006, six weeks shy of her 90th birthday, from heart complications following a hip fracture. Franny, as she was known to family and a wide circle of friends, was steeped in the life of the Episcopal Church. The daughter of an Episcopal minister, both she and her older sister Nancy married Episcopal ministers and two of Franny?s sons became Episcopal clergymen. Her childhood in the church prepared her well for life as a rector?s wife and she thoroughly enjoyed the parishes her late husband, the Rev. Benjamin Minifie, was called to, from Grace Church, N. Attleboro, Mass., to Corpus Christi, Texas, Orange, N.J., the Cathedral in Bethlehem, PA, and finally, Grace Church, New York City. She is honored there, along with her husband, with a marble tablet, the only wife to be mentioned among the illustrious rector memorials. Wherever they lived, she was remembered for her clever wit, her sparkling verse, her kind and generous spirit, and her great gift as a hostess. Franny?s energy and enthusiasm were not confined to the church. A member of the Wellesley College class of 1938, she was a tireless supporter of her alma mater, as a trustee and also as her class agent for many years. While living in New York City she served as a trustee of The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In Newport, she worked as a docent at the Samuel Whitehorne Museum.Franny was born July 19, 1916 in Fall River, Massachusetts, the youngest of three daughters of the Rev Charles E. Jackson, then rector of the Church of the Ascension in Fall River, and Mary R. Sparklin Jackson. After graduating from Wellesley, she worked at the Old Corner Bookstore in Boston, where she met the Rev. Benjamin Minifie. They were married at Christ Church, Swansea, MA in 1939 and went on to raise six children. In 1975, they retired to Newport, becoming early residents of one of The Newport Restoration Foundation houses. Their retirement was an active one as Franny accompanied Ben to numerous parishes where he served as interim rector: Hudson, OH; Darien, CT; Shaker Heights, OH; Ridgefield CT; Lake Forest IL. In Newport she was a faithful member of Emmanuel Church.She is survived by five children, The Rev. Charles Jackson Minifie former rector of Trinity Church, Newport 1973-1978, now of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Katharine Lloyd Minifie of Melbourne, Australia; the Rev. Thomas Richardson Minifie of Mill Creek, WA; Edward Spence Minifie of Dalton, MA; William Haden Minifie of New York City. Her youngest son, Jonathan Minifie of Groton MA, died in 2000. Franny was the grandmother of 15 and the great-grandmother of two. A funeral service will be held Saturday June 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street, Newport. A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Emmanuel Church.