Anne Parsons Frame

Anne PARSONS FRAME A week after her 100th birthday, Anne died peacefully in Seattle on January 12, 2004. Anne was born January 3, 1904, the eldest child of Seattle civic leaders, Reginald H. and Maude Bemis Parsons. Few children are privileged to be part of 75 plus years of their mother's life. Our mother was generous in sharing with her family and friends many stories of her fun life and friendships as she grew up on Queen Anne Hill. Beside Anne's love of horses, which was an integral part of Seattle life in the beginning of the 20th century, she remembered driving a car in the city when she was ten years old. Anne remembered her mother saying, "What Anne wanted, Anne got," (not always said with approval, we strongly suspect)! Our mother was determined and that has never been in doubt. Anne was part of the infamous Queen Anne Hill "gang" of children, many of whom were a year or two older than she. She demonstrated a strong competitiveness and tenacity of purpose, which prevailed often over ideas her parents might have entertained. At Anne's insistence she started school with her older friends. Her parents finally sent her off to The Wheeler School on the east coast to "stop me from playing tennis with the boys." Anne, therefore, was a young twenty year old when she graduated from Mills College in 1924. She served as Mills' student body president in her senior year. After graduation, Anne and a friend took advantage of her father's leadership of the American Olympic Committee for the Paris Games of 1924. She loved to tell the story of her friendship with a Russian prince in Paris. Following the Games, Anne persuaded her father that she and her friend should go to London, where they hot-footed it to the American Consulate to get on the ship returning the American Olympic athletes to the USA. A dashing young officer, named Douglas McArthur, secured their passage. It was a romantic voyage. Following a year of postgraduate study at Columbia University, studying factory inspection and business, Anne married Frederic Delmont Tootell in April 1926. Mr. Tootell had won the 1924 Olympics Gold Medal in the hammer throw. They settled in the small, old village of Kingston, Rhode Island where Mr. Tootell began a long and successful coaching career at the now University of Rhode Island. Anne gave birth to a son, Geoffrey Howland Tootell, in February 1927, and a daughter, Natalie Anne Tootell Oliver, in November 1928. Anne also started her career of volunteerism that characterized her long public life. She was proud of starting a Girl Scout troop and founded Kingston's first preschool/kindergarten, providing all the local children with an early educational and social experience together. The Kingston preschool was later incorporated into the University as part of its child development program. From her parents, Anne learned a strong sense of civic and social responsibility, focusing primarily on children's health and education, the environment and historic preservation. However, she had a stand-up wit that belied the seriousness and energy with which she tackled her many civic pursuits. Although Anne's first marriage ended in divorce, she carried on her service to others with energy and creativity. In July 1935 she married then Army Capt. Jasper Ewing Brady, Jr., and in July 1938 gave birth to Hugh Parsons Brady. Sadly, "Capt Jack," as Geoff and Natalie fondly called him, was sent to the Philippines in November 1941. He survived the Bataan Death March and provided three years of leadership in prison camps at Cabanatuan and Bilibid, raising Anne's hopes that he would return safely; but, in December 1944 a prison ship on which then Lt. Colonel Brady and thousands of others had been placed, was mistakenly bombed by Americans while still in the harbor. Jack died, but remained, her children believe, the love of her life. Anne had returned to Seattle during the war years. She was an excellent driver through her mid-nineties, serving during the War as a Grey Lady and member of the Red Cross Motor Corps. She also devoted much time to Seattle's Children's Hospital and Medical Center, for which she served as a trustee from 1942-1948. In March 1948, Anne married Howard Andres Frame, a gentle man, accomplished golfer, and stockbroker/analyst. They soon moved to Los Altos Hills, California where Hugh attended Palo Alto schools. In the early 60's they relocated to Atherton. They moved back to Seattle in January 1986, where Anne resided until her death. Much of her life revolved around the family pear orchard in Medford, Oregon. Hillcrest Orchard was the place where Anne learned to ride horses and nurtured her concern for the environment. It was the place where the family gathered and have shared many memories throughout the years. Anne's volunteer service included: a founder, volunteer and director of the Children's Health Council in Palo Alto from 1953-1976 (President 1954-1958); early sponsor and later trustee, National Recreation and Park Assoc from 1942 until the mid 1990's; member, Board of Directors, Children's Hospital at Stanford 1967-1985; trustee, Mills College 1952-1962; San Francisco Symphony Assn 1949-1979; and active in the Seattle Art Museum, The Bowne House Historical Society in New York, the Colonial Dames, and The Sunset Club. Anne generously gave her sparkle, her wit and her love to her family and many friends. Ever curious and caring about the earth and its people, "Ma, Mom, Pinny, Aunt Anne" traveled over the world by land sea and air. She also gave her children and grandchildren varied trips to Europe, China, the Mideast, Africa, walking on ice at the North Pole, and often accompanying them, even into her 89th year. She died peacefully, is loved and missed. The family is most grateful to the caregivers who have contributed so much to Anne's last years with loving attention, patience and the special gifts which we could not always give from far away: Celeste, Clare, Joyce, Melissa, Workie (and Marylee, who predeceased Anne). Anne is survived by her three children; her grandchildren, Margaret Anne "Megan", Faith, Geoffrey, and Mary Elizabeth; Michael and Keith; Nona, Rose, Dae "Baba," and Jasper; her 12 great-grandchildren; by stepchildren, Jasper "Jack" Brady and Elizabeth "Betsy" Brady Cavanagh, 8 step grandchildren and 8 step great grandchildren. Predeceased by her younger siblings, Reginald and George Parsons and Mary Day; and two grandchildren Victoria Tootell and Sean Oliver. Anne is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth McDonald Parsons, eight nephews and nieces and their offspring, whose love and many kindnesses to Anne and her family enriched and gladdened her life. A Service in celebration and memory of Anne's life will be held Friday, February 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 8th Ave., Seattle. Remembrances may be made to Seattle's Children's Hospital Foundation; P.O. Box 50020 S-200; Seattle, WA 98145 or the charity of your choice.