Frances Thorp

1918 - 2018

Frances Thorp
April 6, 1918 - August 19, 2018
Resident of Pleasant Hill
Frances Estella Thorp passed away peacefully on August 19, 2018, at the age of 100. She was a resident of Pleasant Hill for 64 years.
Frances was born in Oroville, CA, on April 6, 1918, to Stephen and Jennie Toland. She and her three siblings, who included her identical twin sister, Florence, grew up in Las Plumas, CA, a PG&E community. Frances graduated from Oroville High School, as valedictorian, in 1936. She entered San Jose State in 1936, and met her future husband, Norman Thorp, on the tennis courts. After Norman graduated in 1940, he worked as an accountant in San Francisco, while Frances pursued her education from the UCSF School of Nursing. She earned her RN degree, after the couple married in 1941, and they continued living in San Francisco until 1942.
After they moved to Martinez in 1942, Frances worked at the Martinez Community Hospital as a private duty nurse. A memorable, major incident, The Port Chicago Ship Disaster, occurred on the evening of July 17, 1944, and Frances was immediately called in to help with the wounded. The couple and their three children moved to Pleasant Hill in 1954. They joined Hillcrest Congregational Church, and Frances always delighted in volunteering with the youngsters in early years and later with adult groups. Her unsurpassed compassion toward others was quite apparent, as she was a nurturing and caring person. Her hobbies included bridge, and most sports, especially the SF Giants, the 49ers, the Warriors, tennis, and Cal football. Her dazzling display of flowers, shrubs, and trees radiated throughout her yard and home, and she delighted in growing all her many camellias and roses.
Frances was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Norman Thorp, loving grandson, Deron Thorp, sister, Betty Newlin, brother, James Toland, and twin sister, Florence Fowler. She is survived by her three children, Ronald Thorp (Barbara) of Santa Clara, Rosslyn Thorp-Clauson of San Luis Obispo, and Rochelle Hays of Oakley; five grandchildren, Brett Thorp (Tanisha), Chris Clauson (Michelle), Chad Clauson (Stephanie), Corinne Finch (Matt), and David Hays (Alison); and nine great grandchildren, Savannah and Anthony Thorp, Kiara and Nicki Thorp (and mother Gillian Thorp), Julia Clauson, Kassandra and Calvin Clauson, Kaitlyn Cooper, and Rhone Hays.
Friends and family are invited to the memorial service on Saturday, September 29, 11:00a.m., at Hillcrest Congregational Church, 404 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. The family wishes to give thanks to Mike and Sharon; and also Hospice East Bay. Memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Congregational Church.


View the online memorial for Frances Thorp