Obituary of Frances O. Day

Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 14th for Frances Day who passed away peacefully on February 5th in Santa Cruz at the age of 96. She was born in McLouth, Kansas on September 4, 1918 to James R. and Veryl Thornton. Frances was the second of five children. She came to Santa Cruz with her family at the age of 10 years old. Frances attended local schools graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1936. She worked in the County Office of Education for many years Frances married Ed Strite and together they had four sons: Ed Jr., Ron, Dick and Joe. Ed Sr. passed away in 1959. In 1961 Frances married Chapin (Chick) Day, a high school friend, and was a mother to his daughter, Susan. Frances was a member of the Isabella Rebekah Lodge #17 for 77 years where she held many offices. She was a member of the Emblem Club and the Santa Cruz Women's Old-Timers Club, where she was the treasurer for many years and a past president. Frances was honored as the Santa Cruz Woman Old-Timer of the year in 1991. Frances was an active member of the Retired Public Employees Association, Chapter #9. She loved flowers, knitting, crocheting, and visiting her family cabin in Long Barn, CA. Frances loved cooking for family events and being with her grandkids and watching them grow. Frances is remembered as a happy, loving person with a smile for everyone. Frances leaves behind her three children and their spouses, Ed Strite Jr. (Sue) of Sutherland, OR, Ron Strite (Linda) of Santa Cruz and Joe Strite (Bev) of Santa Cruz; her brother Wayne Thornton (Marie) of Santa Cruz and sister in law Ella Thornton of Santa Cruz. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Frances is predeceased by her two husbands Ed Strite Sr. in 1959 and Chick Day in 1980; siblings: Jim Merlin Thornton, Ruby Carter and Lorrayne Lane; her son Dick Strite; her grandson Larry Strite; and her great grandson, Anthony Strite. Funeral services will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial - Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean Street on Saturday, February 14th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations may be made in her memory to the Rebekah's Children's Services, 290 IOOF Avenue, Gilroy, Ca 95020.