Frances "Fran" Jean Santini

Frances Jean Santini was born in Iona, Florida, on September 3, 1931 to Margaret Jean Smith Santini and Joseph Cyril Santini. She passed away gently in her sleep on Saturday March 28th, 2026 at Discovery Commons with Hospice services. She was 94 1/2 years old and a 5th generation Native Floridian, the family having been in the state since before it was a Territory.

In 1935, The family moved from Iona to Fort Myers Beach to a home built by her father, Cyril Santini, on Primo Drive, where Fran lived until Hurricane Ian.

Fran was in the first school class to be held on Fort Myers Beach. She graduated from Fort Myers High School. Considered the Matriarch of Fort Myers Beach, she was probably the person who has lived the longest time on Fort Myers Beach, over 90 years.

Fran Santini was predeceased by her parents and her five siblings: Grinnell "Stogie" Santini, Elmo "Modie" Santini, June Santini Johnson, Leonard Cyril Santini, and Mary Blanche Santini Townley-Lee. She was also predeceased by her nephews and nieces: Joe Santini Jr, Bud Santini, Sandra Smith, Ginny Johnson, and Kristin Johnson.

Survivors include her loving nieces and nephews: Marci Hallock of Tillamook, Oregon, Carla (Charlie) Middleton of Fort Myers, Mark (Terry) Townley of Blairsville, George, Jay (Holly) Townley of Alva, Bettena (Tim) Jones of Fort Myers, and Martha Santini of Fort Myers. She is also survived by many, many close cousins and great nieces and great nephews., and her cherished friends of the "Fran Fan Club" on Primo Drive, all of whom will dearly miss her loving presence and guidance in our lives.

A Tribute in her Honor will be held Wednesday April 8th at noon at the St. Raphaels Church Comfort Hall at 5601 Williams Drive, Fort Myers Beach, during the Annual Meeting of the Estero Island Historical Society, of which she was a founding member. Please RSVP with EIHS.

In keeping with her wishes, a simple graveside service will be held at the Fort Myers Cemetery on Michigan Avenue on Friday April 24th, at 10 am.

A Mass in her Honor will be on November 3, 2026 at 7:30 am at St Francis Church, Fort Myers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Estero Island Historical Society at 161 Bay Road, Fort Myers Beach.