Frances Pardee Blake 11/11/10 - 7/22/09
Frances Pardee Blake, 98, passed away peacefully in her Santa Rosa, California, home on July 22, 2009. Frances was
born in Erie, PA in 1910 to Emma and John Francis Pardee. She was the oldest of five children. She spent her early childhood in Chicago,
where her father was a merchant marine captain on the Great Lakes. After the early demise of her parents, she and her siblings moved to
Grand Haven, MI, and lived with their grandparents. She attended Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, MI.
After graduation, she moved to Jackson, Michigan, where she worked for Michigan Seating, the Hall & Kennedy Insurance
Agency, and the James Mortell Insurance Company. In 1933, Frances married William V. Blake II, executive of the Macklin Company.
They had four children: Bill, Tom, Pam, and Chris. For several years Frances served on the Board of the Jackson Community Concert
Association and was a long-standing member of the Jackson Junior Welfare League, and a faithful supporter of the Jackson Community
Foundation. She was a member of Great Books, and enjoyed reading and playing bridge all her life. She was an avid classical music and
crossword puzzle aficionado.
In 1976, Frances moved to the community of Oakmont in Santa Rosa, California to be near her children. She was a
volunteer for the Santa Rosa Symphony and participated in several Oakmont activities such as the Walkers, Book Club, Sunday Symposium,
and the Oakmont Classical Concert Series. She is survived by her four children William V. Blake III of Dallas, TX, Thomas P. Blake of
San Clemente, CA, Pamela Blake Peters of San Diego, CA, and Christine Ann Blake of Mill Valley, CA and grandchildren, Derek Scott Blake
and Rod William Blake of Dallas, TX.
At Fran’s request, there will be no services held.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Oakmont Community Foundation, designating the Oakmont Concert Series,
c/o Oakmont Village Assn., 6637 Oakmont Dr , Suite B, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090726/ARTICLES/907269985/1052/OBITS?Title=Frances-Pardee-Blake
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