Frances Caserio Johnson

Surrounded in her final week by the love of her family, Frances D. Caserio Johnson of East Longmeadow passed peacefully from this world on Friday, Sep. 8, 2023, at Baystate Medical Center. She was 86.

Born in Springfield on Jan. 19, 1937, to the late Amelia Chechile Caserio and Vincent Caserio, Frances was a graduate of the High School of Commerce and went on to have a successful career as a banking executive, retiring as vice president from the Bank of Boston in 1998. Although her professional trajectory was impressive, she would say it was her family of which she was most proud. But, through her career, she made some of her very best friends and was well known in the Springfield community.

She and her husband, Thomas L. Johnson, spent many years with their children and grandchildren at treasured homes in the mountains in Cavendish, Vt., and at Nauset Beach in Orleans, Mass. She learned to love the beach as a child during family vacations in Watch Hill, R.I. She loved jitterbugging with Tom, walking, journaling, crafts, cooking Italian for Sunday family dinners, and music. She tried skiing several times, the outcome of which remains family lore.

She was an active community volunteer as a member and supporter of the Junior League of Springfield, the Baystate Medical Center Auxiliary, the Women’s Division of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Christ the King Epiphany Church, CISV Springfield, and others. Her greatest charity was expressed through kindnesses during times of need, to friends and strangers alike.

She was a prolific thank you note writer. Her family jokingly referred to her as the chair of the Sunshine Committee, until they learned that indeed, there was such a committee at her church, on which she joyfully served.

She was the wife of 63 years to Thomas, loving mother to Diane Johnson of East Longmeadow, Jane Johnson Vottero and son-in-law Brett Vottero of Wilbraham; and cherished “Nonni” to grandchildren Andrew Vottero of Los Angeles, Calif.; Amelia Vottero of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Grace Vottero of Washington, D.C.; Kylie White Shink (Tim) of Cape Coral, Fla.; and Danielle White of East Longmeadow; and great-granddaughter Guiliana Lila Shink. She leaves sister Jane Dahlke-Ferry (William) of Orleans, Mass.; sister-in-law Linda Goodwin of Webster, N.Y.; cousin Andrea Tarczynski of East Longmeadow; nieces and nephews Jill, Rob, Beth, Robin, and Todd; and many grand nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by great-granddaughter Lila Danielle Shink and brothers-in-law Robert Dahlke and Jack Goodwin.

The family would like to express special thanks to Joann Miller, CNO of Baystate Medical Center; Khristine and Katie of the BMC Rapid Response Team; and BMC South Wing 5 nurses Crystal, Rita, Carly, Kylie, Aleesha, and Kathy, as well as Dr. Tarshish and Dee of palliative care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baystate Medical Center Rays of Hope or CISV Springfield.

Please join us for a celebration of Fran’s life on Monday, Sep. 18, 2023, 10 a.m., St. Cecilia R.C. Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham, Ma.