Frances Ellanora Boat (Gix)

1921-2022

Frances Boat was born in Portland, Oregon on May 27, 1921 to William F. Gix and his wife Margaret (Sammerier) Gix.

Before long opportunity opened up in southern Oregon so Frances along with her older brother William H. (Billy) and her younger brother, Norman moved with the family to Grants Pass, Oregon. There they spent the early school days and worked on the family Gladiolus farm.

She graduated from Grants Pass High school and then attended Marylhurst College in Portland. In 1941 Frances married Harold Boat who was also from the Grants Pass/Williams area. She spent the next segment of her life in Grants Pass raising their 3 children and working in the gladiolus.

After her children had graduated and moved away, Frances moved back to Portland where she worked for many years for Jantzen manufacturing company. Upon retirement she spent the remainder of her life in the Portland area.

She was an avid reader, loved spending time in her ever evolving gardens. Sewing was a big part of her full life. She was also able to enjoy lots of traveling. She was happiest in the sunshine and flowers.

Her last home was at St. Anthony’s Village also in Portland and not many blocks from the home where she spent her first years. Last year in May we were fortunate to celebrate her 100th Birthday with many family members at her granddaughter’s home. Frances was very healthy and able to get around on her own. She still enjoyed dressing a little special and knew she was living her golden years with lots of special care. Her son, Bernie was near enough to coordinate most of her care and manage all of her extras. She liked pastries and taking drives with him. He was the one who ran all of her special errands. Daughters Rosemarie and Jeanie also contributed a lot to her happiness. The care she received at St. Anthony’s assisted living was a Godsend.

Frances asked us not to have any special good-byes for her. She wanted her ashes taken to her special places and we hope those remains will continue to travel to lots of interesting places. We know her soul will be in heaven waiting to hug us again one day.

We are sad at her passing but happy she’s left us many good memories.