Fran Head (wearing red) with her family. submitted photo

BETHEL — Former State of Maine Representative Frances Mills Head has died at age 76.

Her daughter, Shannan Thielbar and granddaughter Jillian Thielbar, 23, spoke about their mother and grandmother.

“She was someone that I could look up to and be very proud of. From being a waitress at the Red Top Truck Stop to serving eight years at the legislature,” said Shannan.

She said wherever they went Head stopped to talk to people. She listened to everyone, too.

Over 30 years ago her mother experienced domestic violence that she overcame, said Shannan. Later as a representative she backed funding for sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and victim services.

Jillian said she remembers her “Nanni Frani” came to all her field hockey games, to basketball games and as one of the first in her family to go to college, her grandmother was at her University of Maine graduation, too.

She taught Jillian how to make the same “famous” rolls that she learned to make from her grandmother.

They said she sang everywhere, in the grocery store, at Walmart, and at the sink washing dishes.

Head and her seven siblings were raised at, “The Mill Farm” on Route 26 in Woodstock where they had chickens and grew produce. She graduated from Woodstock High School in 1965, then lived in Bethel for 39 years.

She worked in real estate and, with second husband David, eventually buying Main Street Realty.

She had three children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Legislature and local

She served as a Republican State Representative from 2014-2022; she wrote legislation pertaining to first responders, domestic violence, childhood trauma and cancer research. She served on the Health and Human Services Committee in the 127th and 128th Legislature, and the Joint Standing Committee on state and local government.

“She is the kindest, most loving and beautiful soul I have ever met in my life… She had done a lot for Hailey when she was here and she did a lot for Hailey after she passed away. She is the reason I was able to go to the State House and fight so hard.

“She kept me on target when I felt like giving up or that it wasn’t going to go our way, she kept me fighting. I will miss her. Tons,” said Tabaitha Steward, of Bethel, who said she and Head worked together on a bill that allows taxpayers to donate pre-tax money to one of two Maine Pediatric Centers. Steward and her husband founded Team Hailey Hugs to support families fighting childhood cancer, after losing their own daughter to the disease.

Head’s colleague, former representative, Josanne Dolloff, of Rumford, said she and Head commuted together to Augusta, meeting at Bryant Pond Post Office. “I was a newbie, she took me under her wing,” said Dolloff.

They continued their friendship until after their time together in the State House. They would meet for Chinese food, a Head favorite, and would text each other, “Good night, God bless, I love you,” Head would write.

Representative Fran Head, of Bethel submitted photo

“She was my earth angel. I thank god for putting her in my life,” said Dolloff, her voice cracking.

Head was honored with the Maine Spirit of America Award from the Town of Bethel this past June, for commendable community service. She served on many town boards (please see related obituary).

Illness

Shannan said while she was ill, she kept it private because she didn’t want to burden anyone.

Around the fifth of July, Head told her family she was going to fight and get better. She walked out of the hospital. “That gave us hope.” But by last Thursday she was done, “I can’t fight anymore,” she said. To her husband and children assembled in her hospital room, she said, “I love you,” to each of them.

Shannan said her mother died of cirrhosis despite not having been a drinker. Being a diabetic added complications. She’d had breast cancer several years ago and more recently a Whipple procedure. “The woman had defied all odds medically,” said Shannan.

The family will spread Fran’s ashes in both Alaska and Ireland. Alaska is the only state Fran and David had never visited.

Jillian said they were looking through some of the notes in Fran’s giant memory jar this week.  Some were funny like when an egg exploded, another Jillian read said how proud she was of her grandchildren.

“She always told us that,” said Jillian.