Francese F. Setien

MONTPELIER - Francese Farrand Setien, 100, of Montpelier, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield. She was born November 12, 1924, to Fred and Georgianna Farrand (DeBlois) in Littleton, NH. Francese and her parents moved back to VT when she was two and a half years old. She attended school in South Barre and graduated from Spaulding High School, class of 1942.
Francese was a riveter during World War II at Republic Aviation in Long Island, NY. The engine cowling for the P-47 was her assignment. She worked her entire life, doing everything from waiting tables, housekeeping, bookkeeping, TBM Machines, and Springfield Armory. After marrying Esteban (Kiki) Setien in 1951, they moved back to Vermont in 1956, where she started work in granite at Maurice Memorials. After that, she worked part-time for Pepin Granite for a short while and then moved on to work for the State of Vermont. She was employed at several different Departments over the years. At the age of 51, she received a degree in business from a local community college. She then moved to the Dept. of Social Welfare and spent her last few years in the Barre office until retirement in 1986. She then cared for her husband until his death in 1991. Her next venture was volunteer cooking for various functions at St. Monica Church for Bingo, at the Barre Elks, VFW, American Legion, and waiting tables at the Elks. Her final experience was meeting and being a loving companion and caretaker for Raymond Alvarez for 16 years, until his death in 2015.
Fran is survived by the extended Alvarez Family, James Alvarez and his partner Patricia Freeman of Gloucester MA, Jeffrey Alvarez and his wife Ellen of Englewood FL, his daughters Emily and Grace, Evelyn and Al Trono formally of Burlington, and her beloved Great Nieces Laurie (L’Aurore) Beyor of Barre Town and Desiree Jaeger of NC.
This Obituary was written by Fran on March 2, 2016.
A Note from Jim and Jeff:
Fran’s passing brings an end to a 115 year relationship between the Alvarez Family and Montpelier that started in 1911 when Narcisco “Villa” Alvarez arrived from Spain. We would like to thank all the teachers, coaches, customers, and employees at Capital Market, The Montpelier Gun Club and its members, neighbors, and friends for making those years great. Our family lived the American dream from an immigrant peddler to entrepreneurs and civic leaders. We will see you again Montpelier, just not so often. Jeff will continue the family tradition of spending summers at “camp” on Keelers Bay. Jim will be forever connected to Norwich. Thank you, Montpelier, you were a great place to grow up!
There will be a memorial mass on June 4th at 11:00 am at St. Monica’s church in Barre, VT.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St. in Barre
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com