Frances K. Dias
June 15, 1923-Nov. 9, 2023
Santa Rosa, California

Frances K. Dias passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa, California on November 9, 2023; she was 100 years old. Frances was born to Frank and Rosalie Kracha in Two Rivers, WI on June 15, 1923. She leaves behind three daughters Marianne Dias, Therese Tierney, and Perri Kimono, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Frances graduated from New Trier High School, Wilmette, IL, before attending the University of Colorado, followed by graduate studies at the University of California Berkeley and later the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Frances’ life was devoted to public service. As the first woman mayor of Palo Alto in 1966, she was an active member of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Bay Conservation & Development Commission (BCDC) where she championed environmental protections. Working toward greater understanding among nations, she was in the forefront of the Neighbors Abroad Program and established Palo Alto’s sister city of Oaxaca. Frances became a staff liaison for Congressperson Charles Gubser 10th District, followed by Western Regional Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in 1979, relocated to Washington DC to serve as their National Director for 10 years. She was an intrepid traveler. With FEMA, she studied earthquake prediction methods in China and geothermal energy in Iceland. After retirement, she was an integral member of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission, working tirelessly to ensure sound planning practices in the area. Frances will be remembered by her family as a staunchly loyal Cal football fan. She enthusiastically cheered the Golden Bears no matter the outcome; the final score was unimportant, because to Frances, Cal’s football players were the smartest in the league.

Tags: public service