Frances Mitchell

Frances L. Mitchell, Ph.D. Frances L. Mitchell, age 83 passed away May 7, 2014 after a brief struggle with renal failure. Frances was born in Visalia on July 11, 1930, to F.O. and Faye Larson. She attended local schools, and graduated from high school in 1948. Frances then attended the University of California at Berkeley. In the summer of 1950, Fran dated Bill Mitchell who was on leave from the U.S. Marine Corp. They considered marriage at the time, but for one reason or another it did not work out. In 2003, after the loss of their respective spouses, Bill found Fran on the island of Lanai, Hawaii where she was employed as the School Psychologist. (Prior to taking this position with the school system she had been in private practice in San Diego for many years.) In Lanai, she was very liked, and respected by both her students and fellow teachers, and they all called her "Doctor Fran". After they made a couple of trips between Hawaii and Visalia, Bill convinced her that she had worked hard and long enough to retire and come back to Visalia. She did and they were married at age 73, on May 6, 2004 at the White Horse Inn in Three Rivers, CA. Survivors include her husband of 10 years, William N. Mitchell, of Visalia; one daughter, Melinda Lombardi, and her husband Peter Cassimatis of San Clemente, CA.; one son, Forest Cutright and his wife Avis of Honolulu, HI. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Matt Lombardi, of San Diego, And Kristie Cutright of Honolulu, HI. Also survived by two step-daughters and their husbands, Sydney and Tom Peterson of Logan, Utah and Stacey and Bill Hungerford of Bakersfield, CA., and five step-grandchildren, Maren, Christian, William, Burke and Kate. The family wishes to thank Kaweah Delta for the skillful and excellent care Fran received for the 11 days she was in the hospital. A very special thank you to Kaweah Delta Hospice who provided loving care for Fran at home the last seven days of her life. There will be a memorial service for Fran in Hawaii at a later date. Please make any remembrances to Kaweah Delta Hospice, 900 W Oak Ave. Visalia, CA 93277, or your favorite charity . Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, 1700 W Caldwell Ave., Visalia, CA. (559)625-8900 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/visaliatimesdelta/obituary.aspx?n=frances-l-mitchell&pid=171029012&fhid=15770#sthash.hztViLWT.dpuf