Portsmouth, NH – Frances (Simpson) Mallon, 82, passed away peacefully at her winter home on Grand Cayman, on March 7, 2026, surrounded by love, with her devoted husband by her side. Despite living for several years with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Fran remained actively involved with her family and community facing her illness with remarkable courage and strength.
Born on December 22, 1943, in Roanoke, Virginia, Fran was the beloved daughter of Rex and Wilda (Garrett) Simpson. From an early age, she saw the world through an artist’s eyes, beginning to paint at just five years old-a passion that remained at the heart of her life.
Fran graduated with a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1966. She followed her dreams, building a meaningful career in marketing. Her talent and vision led her to New York Life Insurance, where she served as Assistant Art Director, earning the respect of colleagues and leaving a lasting impression through her creativity.
In 1964 Fran took a job as Art Counselor, at St. Georges Episcopal Church Camp. There she met the love of her life, Ed Mallon, who was a hiking and waterfront counselor. They were married shortly after her graduation, in 1966.
In 1969, Fran and Ed made their home in Concord, NH, where Fran continued to nurture her love of art and became an active and valued member of the artistic community. When they moved to Portsmouth, NH in 1991, Fran continued her active involvement in the local arts community. She was a member of the New England Watercolor Society, the Copley Society of Art in Boston, and the New Hampshire Art Association. Through her work, she shared not only her skill, but her distinctive way of seeing beauty in the world around her.
While best known for her watercolors, Fran’s work spanned a wide range of media over the years, including decoupage, sketches, oil paintings, collages, prints, and photography. She participated in dozens of workshops with accomplished artists in the eastern US – especially along the Maine coast – and also in Italy. She maintained a studio in the Button Factory in Portsmouth for 14 years. Most recently, Fran created a distinctive series of watercolors titled “Portsmouth From Above” portraying local scenes and buildings from a bird’s-eye perspective.
She greatly enjoyed the vibrant local art scene and attended plays, musicals, operas, concerts, live music, festivals and art openings with her husband, family, and friends. Fran’s eye for color and form enriched another beloved pastime-gardening.
Above all, Fran will be remembered for the love she gave so freely. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend and a creative spirit who touched the lives of all who knew her. Her warmth, kindness, and strength will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
She is survived by her loving husband, Ed Mallon; her daughters, Kathryn Mallon Taylor (Ken) and Melinda Mary Mallon; her son, Edward John Mallon III; her sisters, Barbee McKinney (Mike) and Katie Simpson; and her brother, Alex Simpson; and grandchildren Allison Cooley (Garrett), Kathleen Hasty (Ben), William Janakis (Gabby), Alex Janakis, Madison Janakis, Michale Paradis, Gracie Paradis, Anna Paradis; and great grandchildren Wyatt, Emmett, Audrey and Sawyer Cooley; Eleanor and Thomas Hasty.
Fran was predeceased by her parents, Rex and Wilda Simpson and her great grandson Edward Janakis.
Fran’s life was a beautiful work of art-one filled with love, color, and grace-and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Fran Mallon will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, on Saturday April 25,2026 at 2PM. Located at 22 Fox Run Road, Newington, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Fran’s memory to Covenant House 461 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001.
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