Frances Romana Blake

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Frances (Frankie) Romana Blake, 85, of Madera Ranchos, CA. Frankie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Frankie passed away in her home on December 16, 2022, from natural causes while surrounded by family and loved ones.

Frankie Blake was born on July 14th, 1937, to Erma Chapman Lachle and Frank Bivins Lachle in Sherman, Texas. Frankie attended Centenary College of Louisiana after graduating from St. Vincent Academy High School in Shreveport, LA, in 1956. Shortly after graduating college, Frances met Anderson (Andy) Blake and they went on to wed in 1962 at Barksdale Air Force Base (formerly Bossier Air Base), Louisiana. Frankie and Andy lived in multiple locations, including overseas, while Andy served 20 years in the Air Force before retiring from the military in 1980. Frankie and Andy then lived in Watsonville, CA, where they managed Healthway Natural Foods on East Lake Ave. Frankie was very active with St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where she taught catechism and youth group. She was also recognized for her exceptional talent and undertook an extensive restoration project on the church's stations of the cross that were severely damaged from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Andy and Frankie then briefly lived in The Colony, TX, for seven years before moving to Madera Ranchos, CA, in 2003.

Frankie loved reading, painting, music, and spending time with family outside during warm summer evenings while Andy barbecued. Throughout her life, Frankie enjoyed sharing her love of arts and crafts with others and volunteering her time with her grandchildren's school programs, where she taught the children how to paint.

Frankie is predeceased by her parents, her brother Samuel Lachle, her sister Anne Porter, and her husband Andy Blake. She is survived by her sister Patricia Principi; her four children, James Blake, Patricia Akiyama, John Blake, and Brenda Blake; her nine grandchildren, Jerry, Anthony, Samuel, Daniel, Amanda, David, Isiah, Katherine, and Julieanne (Max); and her great-grandson Milo.

Funeral services and reception will be held at Holy Spirit Church, in Fresno, CA on March 9th at 2:00 pm for the rosary and 2:30 pm for funeral services and reception afterwards. The service will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend at holyspiritfresno.org Burial services will be held on March 10th at 2:30 pm at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.

Published in The Pajaronian · March 2, 2023