Frances Davidson Maigne, 93, died of cancer at Alexandria Hospital on Sunday, Sept. 2.
A fifth generation Alexandrian, she was born Dec. 9, 1913. Her mother, the late Florence Davidson Maigne, was one of the early pioneers in the renovation and restoration of homes in Old Town. Her father, the late Chares Minnigerode Maigne, was a screenwriter and director of silent films in New York City and Hollywood.
Frances Maigne was a member of the founding class of St. Agnes School in Alexandria and graduated from St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock, Va. She worked for many years as an assistant to Dr. Herbert Cross, a local optometrist. Later she worked in real estate with David Squires and James Duncan.
Frances had lifelong interests in history, especially Alexandria history, and genealogy. She was active in historic preservation in Alexandria, particularly during the period of urban renewal in the 1960s when many historic buildings were demolished in the pursuit of revitalization and modernization. She also devoted much time to genealogical research.
Maigne was a member of the Mount Vernon Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution and the Jamestown Chapter of Colonial Dames. She belonged to numerous historical and genealogical societies. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria.
She is survived by a niece, Sherry Hulfish Browne, and a nephew, Thomas Andrew Hulfish III, and a circle of devoted neighbors and friends. A visitation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Cunningham Funeral Home. A funeral mass was on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St. She was interred at the Presbyterian Meeting House Cemetery.