Frances Louise Nereo, 92, of Wareham passed away peacefully on Sunday December 1, at the Parmenter Hospice in Wayland Massachusetts.

Frances was preceded in death by her husbands Dr. John R. Ayers Jr., and Dr. O.A. Nereo.

She was born in Boston, MA on December 26, 1920 the daughter of the late Frederick and Susan (Ballam) da Costa.  Fran grew up in Middleborough,  and had lived in Wareham since 1973.  During her years in Wareham, she was an active member of the community and was involved in many local organizations and activities such as  the garden club, municipal meetings, meals on wheels, the Wareham Village Association and the Tobey Hospital Guild.

Fran loved to entertain her family, friends and neighbors and had hosted many holiday gatherings at her home.  She was an avid supporter of the arts and especially enjoyed musical events.

During her 92 years, Fran wore many different hats:  Wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother first and foremost.  In addition, she was a registered nurse for Boston City Hospital, an Army nurse during WWII and a school nurse.  She also worked as a nurse at the Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, New Jersey, and with her late husband Ozzie at his medical office in Taunton, MA for many years, commuting from Wareham every day.

Fran was a voracious reader all her life and loved to debate just about any topic from politics to sports.  She loved to watch her beloved Red Sox and New England Patriots, especially Drew Bledsoe.

Fran had an amazing “green thumb” and could nurture plants and flowers like no one else.  Her cooking and baking talents were legendary and we will all miss her chocolate chip brownies, barbecued spareribs and her baked stuffed quahogs among many others.

Fran is survived by her children: Marc and Susan Ayers of Des Moines, IA, Eric Ayers of Berwyn, IL, Jeff Ayers and his wife Ann of Valencia, CA, Gregg Ayers of Waltham, MA, Philip Nereo and his wife Lynn of Windsor, CA, David Nereo also of Windsor, CA and Peter Nereo of Petaluma, CA.  She is the sister of Trudy Babbitt and her husband Sam of Kingston, MA.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  She is the sister of the late Fred, John, Bobby, Suzanne and June.

In accordance with Fran’s wishes funeral services and burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery will be private.  To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Wareham Village Funeral Home 5 Center St. Wareham.