Frances Pauline “Fran” Visco

Frances Pauline “Fran” Visco, 76, of Port Matilda, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025 in Williamsport, surrounded by loved ones. Her life was a testament to quiet grace, unwavering kindness, and a heart devoted to serving others.

Born on Feb. 24, 1949 in Williamsport, to the late Clarence G. and Edith C. Bower Jr., Fran was one of many siblings in the Bower family.

She graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1967, and went on to earn her associate’s degree in computer science from Williamsport Area Community College in 1969. Her education and love for family laid the foundation for a life of thoughtful engagement with the world around her, whether through work, volunteerism or personal connection.

Fran’s life was rich with love and family. She shared many years with her former husband, Anthony Visco, and together they raised two daughters, Rebecca (Visco) McKeirnan and Katherine Visco. Her devotion to her daughters was profound and being their mother was her greatest joy. Her daughters will forever carry her spirit, strength and kindness in their hearts.

She was also a beloved grandmother to Benjamin McKeirnan and mother-in-law to Ryan McKeirnan. Later in life, she found companionship and adventure with Larry Fisher, and they married in a simple family ceremony on June 13, 2018.

With Larry came the blessing of extended family, Heather Hicks (Paul), Stephen Fisher (Stephanie), and Stephanie Bucher (Roy) and “bonus” grandchildren, Dante, Sabin, Sophie and Jace, whom Fran welcomed with warmth and generosity.

Fran had a gift for making others feel seen and cared for. She gave freely of her time and talents, serving on the YWCA board, volunteering as a Girl Scouts leader and always stepping forward when help was needed.

She and her sister, Rebecca Day, started their own business, Bastress Mountain Foods, and became renowned for their delicious jams, jellies and fudges.

She was a Preservation Williamsport board member and executive director, as well as a Victorian Christmas board member and originator and chairman of the Victorian Christmas Fashion Show, held at Park Place for many years. She served as a board member and treasurer for the Williamsport Area High School Orchestra Association.

Friends and family often described her as the most caring person they had ever met, unassuming yet deeply loving.

A woman of deep faith, Fran was a committed Christian who regularly attended services throughout her life. Her faith inspired action. Alongside Larry, she traveled to Honduras as part of the ProPappa Brigade for three years to support dental clinics and mission efforts in underserved communities. These trips reflected her lifelong commitment to helping others and sharing compassion wherever it was needed most.

She found joy in simple pleasures: reading western novels by Zane Grey and Charles Alden Seltzer, gardening and planting, traveling with Larry, camping under the stars or soaking up the sun at Emerald Isle beach in North Carolina.

Time spent with loved ones brought her the greatest happiness, especially camping adventures with her grandson, Benjamin, or gathering around a table filled with laughter and good food.

Fran’s legacy lives on through her large and loving family. She is survived by her husband, Larry Fisher; daughters, Rebecca McKeirnan (Ryan) and Katherine Visco; grandson, Benjamin McKeirnan; stepchildren, Heather Hicks (Paul), Stephen Fisher (Stephanie), and Stephanie Bucher (Roy); sisters, Janet Parker, Dianne Scaff (Dan), Patricia Russell, Eileen Major (Tony), Cecile Confair (Jeffrey), Kathleen Cooprider (Steve); brothers, George Bower, Paul Bower (Karen), Steve Bower, Michael Bower (Cyndy), Bernard Bower (Pam) and Philip Bower; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Rebecca Day; and brother, Donald Bower.

Fran touched countless lives with her gentle spirit and generous heart. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her and continue to inspire acts of kindness in the world she leaves behind.