Constance Lucille Fry

NAME: Connie”Contrance” Fry AGE: RESIDENT OF: DATE OF DEATH: OCCUPATION: PLACE OF DEATH: Start story here It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Connie (Constance) Fry, who passed away January 28, 2016 in her home at the age of 83. She and her husband, George Fry, had just celebrated 63 years of marriage with a trip to Cambria, their favorite spot on the central California coast. Born at home in Red Bluff on July 27, 1932, the hottest day of the year, Connie was the firstborn and cherished daughter of Ruth and Edson Caldwell, a renowned educator. Connie was raised in Alturas, Livermore, Vallejo and Sacramento. Her parents, both avid outdoorsmen, bought a cabin in 1944 on the Sonora Pass where she spent many happy summers, giving her a life-long love of the mountains and natural beauty. The cabin is still in the family today. Following in her father’s footsteps she pursued a degree in education, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1953 and meeting and marrying the love of her life, George Franklin Fry who went on to become a Presbyterian minister. They shortly started a family. Rebecca Ruth was born in 1953, Gail Catherine in 1956, Mary Janet in 1958, and George Edson in 1961. Connie supported her husband’s work in new church development and raised their children until she pursued her own personal calling, helping people to better themselves. Her first job was as an employment counselor in Portland, Oregon, followed by being employed by the Indian Nation in Carson City, Nevada. After receiving a Master’s degree in Counseling from University of Nevada, Reno, she worked as a job developer for Compton Community College, in the Los Angeles area. She pursued her true passion working with disadvantaged youth as a school counselor in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, even going into dangerous neighborhoods on the outskirts of Juarez alone to speak to parents and students. She finished her career in Oklahoma City as an elementary school counselor. When her mother fell ill, Connie and her husband moved to Grizzly Flats near Sacramento to be close to her. Soon after her mother died they moved to Visalia to look after George’s ailing uncle where she enjoyed antiques, her many friends, and drives into the Yokohl Valley looking for wildlife (she and her husband loved counting the number of hawks and eagles they saw). Connie was always active in the American Association of University Women, where she served as president and co-president of the Visalia chapter in 2009-2011and as the statewide president for Nevada in the 1970s. Connie was also involved in Questers, a state organization with many local chapters interested honoring historic community buildings and landmarks. Connie was also interested in local politics and was behind the movement to prevent the Visalia auto malls from being moved to a location along State Highway 99 wanting to preserve the first impression travelers have of the community. Most of all, she was a dedicated member of her church community, most recently at First Presbyterian Church of Visalia where she sang in the choir, and served most often as a deacon where she faithfully visited shut-ins. She was also busy writing a book detailing the life of Aimeric, (ancestor of Ralph Waldo Emerson as well as her ancestor), who was the Archdeacon of the Durham Cathedral, England. In addition, she was involved in many other family history projects. She will be missed for her sense of humor, intelligence, curiosity, and adventurous spirit. Services will be at 11:00 on Saturday, February 6, at the First Presbyterian Church of Visalia, with a reception in Geneva Hall following the memorial service. She is survived by George, her husband of 63 years with whom she traveled the world, enjoyed the great outdoors, and flew on many adventures in his private plane. She is also survived by her sister Cate Culver (Jerry) of Mountain Ranch; her children Rebecca Nation (Ken) of Sacramento, Gail Fry of Lake Arrowhead, and Mary Fry of La Mesa, California; grandchildren JR (Joy), Patrick (Michelle), Jeremy, and Raegan; and 3 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her son George Edson Fry of Reno, NV, her mother, Ruth Caldwell, her father, Charles Edson Caldwell and grandparents, Asahel Nelson Jr. and Elida Wells. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her honor to the scholarship fund of AAUW, Visalia Sequoia branch, P.O. Box 6, Visalia, CA, 93279. SURVIVED BY: PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: VISITATION WILL BEGIN: SERVICES: BURIAL WILL BE AT: A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Constance Lucille Fry

July 27, 1932 - January 28, 2016