Frances Scheller Morehart

11/20/1924 - 11/13/2018

All in Heaven rejoiced when Frannie Morehart was welcomed home on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018, just a week short of her 94th birthday ... She left behind an amazing legacy of love and dedication to her family, her Church, her community and her many friends ? A cherished wife, beloved mother, adored grandmother and great-grandmother ? she was uniquely gracious and kind to everyone who knew her.

Frances Clair Scheller was born in Los Angeles to Gladys Carson Scheller and Edward McLaughlin Scheller, in 1924 ... She dearly loved her brother Edward Scheller and her sister, Pinky. When she was four, her father died ? and when she was fifteen, her mother married Fritz Burns, who became a cherished stepfather and wonderful role model for the father she always wanted.

Frannie attended Marlborough and Dominican High Schools, and Marymount College. When she was fifteen, she met the LOVE of her life, Jack Morehart, at Cotillion. She always claimed that she knew the minute she met him that he was the man she would marry, but it took him a little longer to figure it out!?They married four years later, and then began a lifetime together of love, laughter, zany adventures and countless friends. Together they enjoyed travelling to Hawaii, sportfishing, ranching, boating  (even surviving several memorable boat sinkings!!) and life at the beach. Actually, Jack loved the fishing, ranching and boating, and Frannie was just a great sport! They lived for many years in Pacific Palisades, raising nine children, and life was filled with all the mayhem and activity that a family of thirteen encounters ? Through all of this, Frannie began her lifetime of dedicated service to the pro-life movement, volunteering for Holy Family Adoption Service, St. Anne's Maternity Home and Junior League, as well as being an active member of Corpus Christi Parish.

In 1974, Jack and Frannie moved permanently into their long-time summer home in Carpinteria on the beach ? making many new friends and keeping countless old ones ? enjoying a very happy life together, surrounded by sunshine, laughter and an ever growing family ? they joyfully welcomed 25 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren into the Morehart Clan, and celebrated each child's successes and growth. They felt blessed by their huge family and countless friends, all of whom can relate innumerable funny stories about the many happy memories they've all shared.

Frannie was deeply involved in creating the Santa Barbara Pregnancy Counseling Center and then Villa Majella, a home for unwed mothers in Santa Barbara. She spent the last 40+ years of her life dedicated to protecting unborn babies. She was honored to belong to the Knights of St. Gregory, and the Knights of Malta ? she made  a number of pilgrimages to Lourdes, France with the Order of Malta to care for the sick and dying. Her Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her personal strength and her faith never wavered.

Frannie was a gentle and amazing woman, with a keen and playful sense of humor. After her beloved Jack's death in 2007, she held the family together with her love, prayers and ever-welcoming smiles. She was a wonderful, gracious role model ? and her passing will leave a void in so many hearts!

When given a definitive terminal diagnosis last month by her favorite doctor, Babji Mesipam ? she said simply and cheerfully, "Well I've had a perfect life ... and I'm ready to go to Heaven and be with Jack!" ...

She was predeceased by her husband Jack and son Mark, and is survived by her children: Martin (Patricia) Morehart, Missy (Glen) Mueller, Miny (Roger) Willmon, Michael (MariaLuisa) Morehart, Matt (Sally) Morehart, Marcia Morehart, John Manuel (Lisa) Morehart, and Mitch Morehart. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren and their spouses, 37 great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved friends.

The family extends warmest thanks to Dr. Mesipam, and Laura, Maggie, Sylvia, Isabel, and Marque who cared so well for our Mom.

A rosary will be said on Monday, November 19th at 7:00 PM, and the funeral Mass will be said Tuesday November 20th at 10:00 AM, both at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Montecito.

Arrangements entrusted to Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.