Frances Elizabeth Maas was born on September 8, 1915, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Her father was Henry White and her mother was Sarah Simmons. She was the second oldest of four daughters.

Frances was reared on farms and preferred to help her dad outside, milking, tending chickens, kittens, horses and other live-stock. She was given the name ‘Doc’ because she was always doctoring sick animals.

Dancing was a favorite weekend activity. One night, a young man from the neighboring town of Pratt, Kansas entered the dance with his brothers, saw Frances and said, ‘I’m going to marry that girl.’ His name was Leo R. ‘Jim’ Maas. They married on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1934.

Jim left farming and worked for an oil company as a ‘doodle-bugger’, or rig operator, moving around the South from location to location to ‘prove’ oil. Frances enjoyed the other wives of the crew. She and Jim played bridge, golfed and fished. They moved to California in 1940, following Frances’ mother, father and sisters.

Frances was always a hard worker; on the farm, as the wife of a mobile oil explorer during the 1930 Depression Years and as a wife and mother during the War years of the 1940s. Later she worked as an office manager for a furniture store, and retired in the early 70’s.

She and Jim moved to a lovely home in a senior development in Mission Viejo, California, in 1993 after leaving their home of 50 years in Bellflower. Jim passed away 12 years ago.

Frances peacefully joined Our Lord at the age of 94 on Sunday, January 24, 2010 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Carole and Karl Barrell, Paula and Tom Graves, Marsha and Bill Perry and her eight grand-children, seven great-grand-children, sister-in-law Marjorie Maas of Pratt, Kansas and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Many memories have flowed in recalling her laughter, her easy spirit, her modesty, generosity and strength.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Kilian’s Church, Mission Viejo, California, at 10:00 a, m. on Friday, January 28th. A private burial ceremony will be at Ascension Cemetery, Lake Forest, California.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Frances’ name. Thank you.