Francis “Fran/Frankie” Jean Richardson

March 21, 1928 – May 1, 2013

Frankie was born in Alhambra, California to Effie A. Fehr and Clarence Fehr. She graduated from Alhambra High School, where she and her sister, Janice Gardner, were members of a group called the “Wabbits.” They remained best friends and travel companions up until present time and going on their final trip to Hawaii in 2006.

Frankie moved to Santa Barbara in 1948 to attend UCSB where she took up flamenco dancing, joined a professional dance group and toured all over California for many years. She met William Richardson who had just returned from Iwo Jima and in 1950 and were married. That same year they bought land on Mountain Drive and lived in an adobe house that they built themselves. In 1960 they had their daughter Jolie Richardson and in 1962 they gave birth to their son Gavin Richardson. In 1964 the adobe house was taken in the Coyote fire and they built a new home that they raised their family in and lived for 43 years until that house was lost in the Tea Fire.

Frankie was the strongest and most honest woman I have ever met. She loved to travel and had a passion for classical music, going to the opera, playing tennis, dancing, and making pottery. She was extremely talented in whatever she put her mind to and carried a beautiful, youthful personality with her no matter what she was doing. She was the strength of our family and the world has lost a little bit of sparkle with her passing.

She is survived by her sister Janice Gardner, husband Bill Richardson, daughter Jolie Richardson, son Gavin Richardson, grand daughter Shane King, and great granddaughter Kira King. It is sad to say that she did not get to meet her second great granddaughter Chloe who is due to be born in early June.