Frances Schlick

On May 17, after 85 fruitful, fulfilling, faithful, and relatively healthy years, Frances Winton Schlick of Ivanhoe passed away, succumbing to a two-month debilitating battle which started with pneumonia. Frances was born in Visalia to Marvin and Emily Winton on May 6, 1932, but spent her fruitful younger years on her family�s ranch in Ivanhoe where they grew oranges, grapes and olives. Raised in the generation just before air-conditioning, Francie, her sister, Marjorie Stewart, and her mother escaped the valley heat, living much of the summer at their Silver City cabin built by her father in the 1920�s. After attending Ivanhoe Elementary and graduating from Visalia Union High School in 1950, Frances continued a lifelong zest for learning at U.C. Berkeley. She graduated with a BA degree in �General Curriculum� in 1954, but often joked that she went to college to get her MRS degree. On August 22, 1953 she married Edward Ray Schlick. Being of humble means and raised to be practical and frugal, they were married in the garden of the Winton home in Ivanhoe and honeymooned at the cabin in Silver City. Upon completing college, Fran and her partner for life moved to Los Angeles so Ray could pursue a career in architecture. On May 17, 1957, Fran gave birth to the first of two children, Alison. One of Ray�s first projects of his budding career was their dream home, nestled on a canyon hillside in Studio City and often mistaken for a Frank Lloyd Wright creation. Fran loved entertaining in this home, including lavish birthday parties for her daughter. These first years of marriage, mothering, and homemaking in Southern California were rich and fulfilling for Fran and her young family. The death of Fran�s mother drew the Schlicks to Ivanhoe to faithfully care for her aging father and help manage the ranch. Their second child, David, was born in 1964. In 1965, with Fran�s input, Ray designed and built their second and final home. Once again, in the simplistic style of a Wright home, yet adorned with many innovative features, it was smartly decorated by Fran with treasures from their travels. The home was spotlighted several times on Visalia home tours. Fran was a dedicated mother who passed on a zeal for learning and love of reading to her children. She was a woman of outstanding character in every aspect and devoted homemaker. She served as a room mom, Cub Scout leader, and attended all of her children�s activities. Although a big fan of her children and grandchildren, she was never a sports enthusiast; therefore, she was often seen at games with a book. When asked by Dave why she was reading during his football games, she half-jokingly said, �I want to be here for you, but I can�t stand to see you get hurt.� Fran and Ray built many deep friendships spanning multiple decades in which they enjoyed playing bridge, discussing books, attending cultural events, dancing with the Rowdy Ranchers, and traveling the world. As pillars of the community they were involved with the Miki City committee, led a Visalia city tour to Japan, hosted exchange students, and supported dozens of community organizations, such as Arts Visalia, the Tulare County Symphony, Visalia Rescue Mission, Ivanhoe Boys and Girls Club, and Valley PBS. Fran was a member of the Ivanhoe Garden Club, the Tulare County League of Women Voters, and the Visalia Union Class of 1950 Reunion Committee. Fran will be missed by her children, Alison (Verne) Miniaci and David (Saan) Schlick, her grandchildren Marisa Miniaci, Rebekah, Erik, and Mikah Schlick, and Kinlee (JR) Robertson, and her great grandchildren Emery, Summit, and Tryn Winton Robertson. Graveside services will be held on June 3rd, at 9:00 a.m., in the Visalia Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made in Fran�s memory to community organizations she supported. A Memorial Tribute can be offered by logging into www.salseranddillard.com.

Frances Schlick

May 6, 1932 - May 17, 2017