Frances Augusta (Hughes) Farrer

Frances Augusta (Hughes) Farrer, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones shortly after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Born in Pasadena, CA, Fran grew up as a young actress appearing in many Shirley Temple films as well as modeling for fashion magazines and commercials. As a young woman, Fran chose to forego her Hollywood life to pursue higher education at UCLA. There, she would make lifelong friendships at Kappa Alpha Theta and meet her future husband, John Farrer, MD.

While John was attending medical school at Boston University, their oldest child, Susan, was born in 1952. In 1954, they were stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, where John served as a flight surgeon and their second child, Jay, was born. By 1956, they found themselves back at UCLA where John was a resident, and their third child, Laura was born.

In 1961, Fran and John moved to Newport Beach, where John began his medical practice in urology at Hoag Hospital. The close friends they made within the Hoag community upon their arrival, endured as such for all their life.

Fran and John were adventurous at heart, with many backpacking trips through the Sierras, sailing the California Coast and cycling through Europe. They were dedicated to their fitness accomplishments such as both of them medaling in the L.A. Marathon at the age of sixty-four.

After John passed away in 1994, Fran found comfort in her church at St Andrews Presbyterian and support in the many friendships she had there. She remained dedicated to her physical fitness, attending classes for approximately thirty years at Body Design studio where the owner and a group of closely knit clients were a second family to her. Fran also continued to travel with close friends and family, exploring remote corners of the world.

Her undying passion for life was in the people she met near and far. All will miss her effusive charm and her reservoir of strength that those around her leaned upon.

Fran was predeceased by her husband, John, and her son, Jay. She is survived by her two daughters, Susan Antonini Kuypers, Laura Thomson (Jack Thomson), her five grandchildren, Adam Antonini, Laura Antonini, Logan Farrer, Sydney Farrer, Brooke Thomson, her two step grandchildren John Thomson (Bonnie), Collin Thomson (Barbara), and her two great granddaughters Allison Antonini, and Abigail Antonini.

A memorial service will be given at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 Saint Andrews Rd., Newport Beach on Saturday August 3, 2024 at 11:00/AM

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online by visiting https://www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org/frances-farrer-tribute.html

Donations may also be sent to the Hoag Hospital Foundation (330 Placentia Avenue, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92663), in memory of Frances Farrer.