The first woman appointed to the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, Frances Kissell served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and a litigation attorney in the U.S. Small Business Administration for the New England Region. She was born in Boston and lived at this address in Dorchester until 1976 when she moved to Wareham. Frances studied at Radcliffe College and Boston College School of Law, graduating first in her class at both institutions. During World War II, she was a classification specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps. While attending law school, she assisted her husband, Adolph J. “Butch” Kissell, who was a scout for the Buffalo Bills. Frances later served as president of the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild and was included in the 1958 – 59 edition of Who’s Who in American Women. Politically active, she became the campaign coordinator for the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign in eastern Massachusetts. In 1981, Francis earned a master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State College. While living in Wareham, she was active in a number of civic organizations including the Otis Advisory Council, the American Legion, and the Coalition to Save Buzzards Bay.
