Frances Jane (Cascio) Longshore

Frances Jane Longshore was never a procrastinator nor did anything halfway—whether it was acing her studies, raising a family, or making lifelong friends. She passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025, at the age of 94, leaving behind a life full of love, laughter, and stories that will be told for generations.

Born in Baltimore—right where third base now stands at Camden Yards—Frances was the youngest child and only girl in a house full of extended family and brothers. This home is where she learned that family is the most important priority in life. Sharp as a tack from the start, she skipped grades and graduated from Catonsville High School at just 16, thanks in part to her love of learning, first nurtured by her Aunt Julia, who taught her to read.

But what mattered most in Frances’ life wasn’t just what she learned—it was who she loved. At just 12 years old, she met a neighborhood friend, Boyce Longshore 13, the boy who would become her husband and lifelong partner of 70 years. Their love story spanned decades, continents, and countless cups of coffee shared at the kitchen table.

Frances and Boyce lived in Germany during his time in the service, where she quickly built lifelong friendships that she nurtured for decades. After returning home, she pursued her passion for learning, earning her Juris Doctorate law degree and graduated second in her class at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She was one of only two women in her class.

The importance of family grew exponentially when Boyce and Frances welcomed their only child, Jane, in 1957.

Whether Frances was hosting legendary holiday gatherings, playing cards with her girlfriends, talking to family late into the night, or cooking up feasts inspired by her Italian roots, Frances made every moment count.

When Jane married Michael and had two sets of twins under two, Frances and Boyce packed up and moved to Ellicott City to help raise their grandchildren. She wasn’t just a grandmother—she was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, and their guiding force. She never missed a milestone, including traveling up and down I-95 and I-81 supporting them at every school event, sporting competition, and finally to see them graduate.

Her impact wasn’t limited to just her family—she was a presence in the entire neighborhood. She was the ice cream lady, bringing joy to the kids with her homemade treats. She passed on her love of Pavarotti, Bocelli, and Sinatra to all of us, filling the family home with music and warmth.

Even in her later years, Frances found a way to make new friends wherever she went. At Lighthouse Senior Living in Ellicott City, she quickly became "Mama Longshore” or “Mama Fran,” loved by all who cared for her. And if you didn’t know her personally, you might have known of her, as she became a fixture in her grandkids’ social media—her big personality shining through in every post, video, and story.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Jane M. Virden (Michael), her cherished grandchildren, A.J. Virden Mitchell (Dave), J.L. Virden Menefee (Luke), T.P. Virden, and B.M. Virden, and her adored fur baby, Belle. She was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore and Quincy Jane Cascio, her beloved husband, Boyce Madison Longshore, Jr., and her brothers, Salvatore Cascio III, Frederick Cascio, and James McElroy.

She will be deeply missed by the many friends and family members whose lives she touched.

Family and friends may gather for a visitation at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Monastery, 3801 Old Frederick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21229, at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 7, 2025, with burial immediately following at New Cathedral Cemetery, 4300 Old Frederick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21229.

In honor of Frances’ memory, the family welcomes flowers or donations to the University of Baltimore School of Law .

Frances was one of a kind—bold, brilliant, fiercely loyal, and unforgettable. She lived life on her terms, and she left this world just as she lived in it: surrounded by love.