Frances May Twohig McAteer

Frances May Twohig McAteer July 9, 1917 - September 29, 2006 Frances May Twohig McAteer passed away Friday, September 29. She was 90. Mrs. McAteer was the wife of the late State Senator, J. Eugene McAteer and a civic and community leader in her own right. A third generation San Franciscan, Mrs. McAteer was a graduate of Mission High School and San Francisco State University and is a member of both institutions' Hall of Fame. Mrs. McAteer served on the San Francisco Park and Recreation Commission for 21 years. Appointed in 1968 by the late Mayor Joseph Alioto, she chaired the Commission's Committees of Golf Courses, Recreation and Camp Mather. Mrs. McAteer retired in 1989 having served the longest tenure in the history of the Commission. In recognition of her service, the Frances M. McAteer Tennis Courts at Stern Grove are named in her honor. In 1989 she was appointed to the National Maritime Park Commission by Senator Diane Feinstein serving as a commissioner until 1999. In addition to the above, Mrs. McAteer was a member of the 1972 People to People Delegation to the USSR representing distinguished women of the United States. She served as an appointee of Senator S.I. Hayakawa on the Federal Judicial Selection Committee, and was awarded the California State Senate "Woman of the Year" award by former Senator Quentin Kopp. The San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored Mrs. McAteer in 1983 with the Silver Beaver, their highest civilian award. An outstanding athlete, Mrs. McAteer, danced as a child with the San Francisco Ballet and excelled in golf and tennis enjoying both sports into her late seventees. A member of the Olympic Club, she was the club women's golf champion in 1980. Mrs. McAteer was an extensive traveler, who cultivated and maintained life-long friendships at home and abroad. She will be remembered by those who knew her for her open, optimistic personality and her giving nature, which endeared her to people of all ages and walks of life. She is survived by her three sons, Thomas K. McAteer, Timothy K. McAteer, both of San Francisco and Terence K. McAteer of Grass Valley; two daughters-in-law, Nancy Robertson McAteer and Elizabeth Everett McAteer and six grandchildren, David Eugene McAteer, John Robert McAteer, Lisa Hildegard McAteer, Marjorie McLeod McAteer, Jeanne Elizabeth McAteer and Gregory Terence McAteer. A Celebration Mass will be held at St. Cecelia's Church, 17th Avenue and Vicente, at 2:30 PM on Thursday, October 5. Burial Services will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a contribution in the memory of Frances M. McAteer be sent to Friends of Camp Mather, 422 Russia Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112 McAvoy O'Hara Co. 415-668-0077