Frances Geraldine Maher

Passed away peacefully on June 18, 2015 at 85 years of age, surrounded by her loving family. "Francoise Geraldine Manset" was born on March 31, 1930 in Paris, France to Genevieve "Gigi" and Georges Manset. She was the youngest of four children (Eliane, Genevieve, Georges, and Francoise). Sadly, her father died in January 1934 before Frances reached the age of 4. Shortly after his death the family moved to San Francisco for a few years to be close to Gigi's parents (who resided in Santa Barbara). They returned to France in 1937, wherein Frances attended boarding school in Nice. After the war broke out Gigi and the children relocated to the perceived safety of a family home on the coast in Brittany. Unfortunately, the local German commandant decided to make their house his local headquarters and moved into the third floor. In the middle of the night in early 1941, while the commandant was away, Gigi and the children escaped Nazi occupied France by stealing their confiscated car, and heading to Portugal where they eventually boarded a ship for the United States. Gigi's dual citizenship (she was born in the U.S. but moved to France at 18 months) made it possible for them to emigrate. They came straight to Santa Barbara where Gigi's parents had lived since the early 1930's. Frances (10 years old) finished the school year at Roosevelt School near Garden Street where her grandparents lived. She remembers it being difficult as she hadn't had formal schooling for a few years, and couldn't speak English. But adapt she did, moving on to Dolores Catholic School and then Marymount High School for her freshman and sophomore years. She went to boarding school at Dominican Convent in San Rafael for 11th and 12th grades, and on to college at U.C. Berkeley where she majored in art history. There she met and married a handsome young man of Irish descent, James Maher, her beloved husband of 61 years who passed away in September 2012. They met at Newman Hall, the Catholic center close to the Berkeley campus, and married soon after on April 21, 1951. In 1959 they moved to Santa Barbara where together they raised their family of six children. Their love for one another, their deep Catholic faith, and the simple joy of spending time with family and friends defined their lives. Frances was extremely close to her brother and sisters who also lived in Santa Barbara. Weekly lunches with Aunt Eliane, Uncle George's frequent visits for conversation and an aperitif after work, family gatherings at Aunt Genny's Padaro Lane beach cottage, and impromptu barbecues in the backyard with all the cousins - these are memories that we all cherish. Frances enjoyed the simple pleasures of life?a good book, a scary movie, trips to P.O.P, shore fishing, clam digging, sardines, camping trips, lazy days at the beach. She loved the game of tennis! When not playing, you would find her enthusiastically watching the latest tournament on TV. Affectionately dubbed "That Damn Frances!" by her tennis opponents - she rarely lost and would never admit to it if she did. Frances was open and warm to one and all. She loved people and conversation, and people loved her. She could (and would) talk to anyone! She was unpretentious and easy to approach. She didn't have hard edges. Her easy smile, fun loving nature, and genuine interest in others drew many into her circle. She will be sorely missed. Frances is survived by her six children (Mark Maher, Andrea Lydon, Jeannine Bauer, Greg Maher, Paul Maher and Brian Maher), her twelve grandchildren (James Maher, Colin Maher, Ian Maher, Joseph Lydon, Patrick Lydon, Frances Lydon, Tyler Bauer, Justin Maher, Heather Maher, Ryan Maher, Sean Maher and Jonathan Maher), and great grandchild - Gavin Maher. A funeral mass is being held at Mount Carmel Church, 1300 East Valley Road, Santa Barbara, at 9:30am on Monday, July 6th, followed by a reception in the church courtyard. A graveside service will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 199 N. Hope Avenue at 1:00pm.

Frances Geraldine Maher

March 31, 1930 - June 18, 2015