Frances M. (Brainerd) Carpenter, 85, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Robert and Marian (Britton) Brainerd, she grew up in South Hadley and was the oldest of four children. She attended Walnut Hill Prep school in Natick, MA and was a music major at Hood College in Frederick, MD. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Earl T. Carpenter. Fran and Earl moved back to South Hadley in 1959 when Earl joined the family business, Street Lumber Corporation. Frances continued her love of music as a soloist with the First Congregational Church of South Hadley and teaching voice lessons. Frances has been an active member of the First Congregational Church throughout her life. Fran and Earl traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad during their fifty year marriage. She leaves her children and their spouses, Nancy L. and Douglas Baker of Belchertown, Susan C. and James A. Bruffee of Granby, Stephen E. and June Carpenter of South Hadley, Diane F. and Robert Deshaies of Granby, a host daughter and her husband, Theresa and Donald Pier of Yonkers, NY, six grandchildren, Benjamin and Lauren Baker, Sarah and Laurel Carpenter, Kimberly and Julie Deshaies, two host grandchildren, Amelia and Amanda Pier, and a great-grandchild, Noah Baker. She was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and David Brainerd, and a sister, Ann (Nadeau) Britton. The funeral will be Saturday at 10am at the First Congregational Church, 1 Church Street followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday at the CURRAN-O'BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 33 Lamb Street from 4-7pm. Donations may be made to the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA 01060.