Frances Marie Harrison

Our treasured mother, Frances Marie Harrison (nee Herlihy) passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 11, 2025 after communing with her beloved daughter and her loyal dog at her bedside. Frances was born on August 26, 1936 in Manhattan, NYC. She was the youngest child of John “Jack” Joseph Herlihy and Bridget "Beatrice" McFarland, Irish immigrant parents from County Cork and Roscommon respectfully.

She graduated from Blessed Sacrament HS, where she excelled in both academics and sports. She was a star on the Track and Field as well as on the Basketball team, eventually competing in AAU athletics. In addition, she was a truly effective communicator and was also captain of the debate team. Frances received a full scholarship to St. John's University in 1953, the first year women were admitted to the university. With no real athletic opportunities for the new female students, Frances started a basketball team for her fellow classmates, despite working full time and assisting with the caretaking for her family.

One of only a few female students admitted to the business school, Frances graduated in the top of her class, with a BS in accounting in 1957. She was among the first female accountants in major NY firms, when it was difficult for women in business to ‘break in’ to the “Big 8.” Nonetheless, her incredible business talent and strong interpersonal and management skills, allowed her to continue to rise and excel, eventually becoming Director of Business Operations at Wingfoot Country Club and culminating in her appointment as Treasurer of the Rockefeller Foundation's renowned, China Medical Board.

She was swept off her feet by and eventually married the love of her life, NYPD Detective, Francis Raymond Harrison, a Bronx native, at St. Thomas More Church in Manhattan on June 6, 1970. Eventually, they decided it was best to move from NYC, and raise their two daughters, Erin Frances and Tara Lynn, in bucolic Pound Ridge, NY. Along with her husband, she also became the proprietor of Harrison Wines in Ridgefield, CT.

By far, the most important accomplishment of Frances’ life was her devotion to faith and family. She tirelessly advocated for the best education and activities for her daughters, driving hundreds of miles each week to schools and activities to encourage her daughters’ interest and talents. She and her husband instilled a love of the Catholic faith, including a devotion to Our Blessed Mother, and a deep love of Our Lord. She was an active member of both St. Patrick's Church in Bedford, NY and St. Mary's in Ridgefield, CT.

In addition to her adored husband, she was preceded in death by her loving parents, her sister, Virginia, and her brother, Jackie. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Erin Priolo, and son-in-law, Richard, and her daughter, Tara Marsh and son-in-law, Thomas, her grandson, John Francis Marsh and her granddaughter, Samantha Lily Marsh, along with her nephew, Michael Donohue and her niece, Janine Cerrone.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24th, from 6pm-8pm at Bosak Funeral Home & Cremation, 453 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday, October 25th at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 7 Pound Ridge Road, Bedford, NY. Interment to follow at the Pound Ridge Burial Hill Cemetery, in Pound Ridge, NY, her beloved hometown of 48 years.