Frances M. Lease
1913-2006
Frances M. Lease, a 35-year resident of Lopez Island, passed away on March 10, 2006 at Island Hospital in Anacortes. She would have been 93 in one month and 10 days.
Frances was the first child born to Clarence and Clara Fish in St. Cloud, Minn., on April 20, 1913. She was preceded in death, just five weeks earlier, by her husband of 71 years, Walter F. Lease. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Bernard Fish.
Frances is survived by one daughter and three sons. Her daughter, Donna Rathvon, and husband, Howard, reside in Dallas, Texas. Her son, Richard (Dick), and wife, Elaine, live in Mount Vernon, WA. Her son, Bruce, and wife, Dawn, reside on Lopez Island. Her son, Gary, and wife, Judy, live in Selah.
Frances is survived by two brothers and four sisters, all living in Minnesota: Donald Fish and wife, Mary; Clarence (Beans) Fish and wife, Emily; Gail Stein, Muriel (Boots) Jones, Joyce Anderson and Alice Lucas.
She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and extended family, and her faithful companion, Barney the Beagle.
Walter Lease and Frances Fish were married on June 2, 1934 in Sauk Rapids, Minn. They moved to Seattle, Wash., in 1942 where they lived until 1959 and then moved to Mount Vernon, Wash., where they owned and operated the Sail Inn Tavern. In 1970, they retired to Lopez Island and worked sided by side clearing and creating their park-like corner on Port Stanley Road.
Fran loved the outdoors and gardening. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
As she wished, there will be no public service.
The family is extremely thankful for the help extended to both Walter and Frances in these past years by Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support.
Remembrances may be made to:
Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support
P.O. Box 747
Lopez Island, WA 98261
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” — Philippians 1:3
“A description of a worthy woman.” — Proverbs 31:10-31
— The Frances M. Lease family
