Frances Peace Kearton
April 24, 1920 – July 12, 2014
Fran passed away peacefully after a brief illness. A resident of Menlo Park, California, she was a true Southern belle, born and raised in Georgia, yet driven to be an artiste. After working as a John Robert Powers model, she went on to perform in the early days of live broadcast television. She and co-star Dick Van Dyke wrote copy, built sets, and acted in The Music Shop, shown live in Atlanta in the 1950's.
Fran was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted hostess, enjoyed painting and writing, and could turn a phrase to make anyone laugh. She was prolific with a typewriter and the bon mot, leaving behind a wide trail of letters to those willing to correspond by mail. Late in life Fran wrote two delightful autobiographical books: Waiting for the Banana Peel, and French Beds I've Slept In (and Some I Wish I Hadn't). She also enjoyed tap dancing, and shuffle-hop-stepped in class every other week. Fran will be remembered for her beauty, elegance, and extraordinary wit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Ruston Kearton, and her son, Allison Hoyle Adams. Fran is survived by her grandson Kristian Kearton (Malene), a long list of extended family and friends, and friends and admirers from around the world.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 3:00pm at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California. At Fran's request, please toast her life with a glass of chardonnay ("don't forget the glass of ice on the side!"). Donations can be made to the Golden West chapter of the ALS society.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on July 18, 2014.
April 24, 1920 – July 12, 2014
Fran passed away peacefully after a brief illness. A resident of Menlo Park, California, she was a true Southern belle, born and raised in Georgia, yet driven to be an artiste. After working as a John Robert Powers model, she went on to perform in the early days of live broadcast television. She and co-star Dick Van Dyke wrote copy, built sets, and acted in The Music Shop, shown live in Atlanta in the 1950's.
Fran was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted hostess, enjoyed painting and writing, and could turn a phrase to make anyone laugh. She was prolific with a typewriter and the bon mot, leaving behind a wide trail of letters to those willing to correspond by mail. Late in life Fran wrote two delightful autobiographical books: Waiting for the Banana Peel, and French Beds I've Slept In (and Some I Wish I Hadn't). She also enjoyed tap dancing, and shuffle-hop-stepped in class every other week. Fran will be remembered for her beauty, elegance, and extraordinary wit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Ruston Kearton, and her son, Allison Hoyle Adams. Fran is survived by her grandson Kristian Kearton (Malene), a long list of extended family and friends, and friends and admirers from around the world.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 3:00pm at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California. At Fran's request, please toast her life with a glass of chardonnay ("don't forget the glass of ice on the side!"). Donations can be made to the Golden West chapter of the ALS society.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on July 18, 2014.
Frances Peace Kearton
April 24, 1920 – July 12, 2014
Fran passed away peacefully after a brief illness. A resident of Menlo Park, California, she was a true Southern belle, born and raised in Georgia, yet driven to be an artiste. After working as a John Robert Powers model, she went on to perform in the early days of live broadcast television. She and co-star Dick Van Dyke wrote copy, built sets, and acted in The Music Shop, shown live in Atlanta in the 1950's.
Fran was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted hostess, enjoyed painting and writing, and could turn a phrase to make anyone laugh. She was prolific with a typewriter and the bon mot, leaving behind a wide trail of letters to those willing to correspond by mail. Late in life Fran wrote two delightful autobiographical books: Waiting for the Banana Peel, and French Beds I've Slept In (and Some I Wish I Hadn't). She also enjoyed tap dancing, and shuffle-hop-stepped in class every other week. Fran will be remembered for her beauty, elegance, and extraordinary wit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Ruston Kearton, and her son, Allison Hoyle Adams. Fran is survived by her grandson Kristian Kearton (Malene), a long list of extended family and friends, and friends and admirers from around the world.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 3:00pm at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California. At Fran's request, please toast her life with a glass of chardonnay ("don't forget the glass of ice on the side!"). Donations can be made to the Golden West chapter of the ALS society.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on July 18, 2014.
April 24, 1920 – July 12, 2014
Fran passed away peacefully after a brief illness. A resident of Menlo Park, California, she was a true Southern belle, born and raised in Georgia, yet driven to be an artiste. After working as a John Robert Powers model, she went on to perform in the early days of live broadcast television. She and co-star Dick Van Dyke wrote copy, built sets, and acted in The Music Shop, shown live in Atlanta in the 1950's.
Fran was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted hostess, enjoyed painting and writing, and could turn a phrase to make anyone laugh. She was prolific with a typewriter and the bon mot, leaving behind a wide trail of letters to those willing to correspond by mail. Late in life Fran wrote two delightful autobiographical books: Waiting for the Banana Peel, and French Beds I've Slept In (and Some I Wish I Hadn't). She also enjoyed tap dancing, and shuffle-hop-stepped in class every other week. Fran will be remembered for her beauty, elegance, and extraordinary wit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Ruston Kearton, and her son, Allison Hoyle Adams. Fran is survived by her grandson Kristian Kearton (Malene), a long list of extended family and friends, and friends and admirers from around the world.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 3:00pm at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California. At Fran's request, please toast her life with a glass of chardonnay ("don't forget the glass of ice on the side!"). Donations can be made to the Golden West chapter of the ALS society.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on July 18, 2014.
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