Frances is the mother of Lily Buffay and the grandmother of Phoebe and Ursula Buffay, though not biological, as Phoebe later learns that her birth mother is another woman named Phoebe Abbott.
History
Frances is Phoebe's adopted grandmother by her adopted mother Lily. Her only appearance is in "The One With Phoebe's Dad" where she reveals to Phoebe that the person in the pictures she keeps around the house is not Phoebe's father. It was Lily's idea to tell Phoebe the picture of the man come with the frames is her father, and Frances just went along. She then gives Phoebe her real father's photo and address. At the revelation Phoebe tries to find her father Frank Buffay Sr., but only manages to find her father's second wife and her half-brother Frank Jr. as her father has left them for 4 years.
Frances is very close to Phoebe. She is mentioned by Phoebe from time to time. They live together for years until Frances's death in season 5.
Frances keeps a framed picture of Albert Einstein in her apartment, whom Phoebe believes was her grandfather.
Death
In "The One With Joey's Bag", we learn that Frances has passed away. While she was in the market with Phoebe, she, as Phoebe puts it, "bent down to get some yogurt and she just never came back up." The last thing Frances said to Phoebe was "You go get the eggs, I'll get the yogurt, and we'll meet at the check out counter.", which Phoebe firmly believes they eventually will. Phoebe says that although she loved her grandmother and she loved her, Frances is in hell.
Phoebe goes to inform Ursula about their grandmother's death, but Ursula turns down attending the funeral as she thought Frances died 5 years ago and she has made peace with it, plus she has a concert to go to.
At Frances's funeral, Phoebe meets her long gone father Frank Buffay Sr.
Phoebe inherits her grandmother's yellow taxi and apartment. Frances' ashes were kept in a lock box in the cab that Joey happened to find on his way to Las Vegas. Phoebe keeps the taxi until the very end of the series.