Frances Mildred Renau

She was born Frances Mildred Gibson in San Antonio, Texas, to James and Mildred Gibson in 1926. She was raised in the midst of the depression which anchored her work ethic, resilience, interdependence, generosity and love for learning. The young family of three moved to Arizona where some jobs were available. They settled in Tucson where the family grew with the arrival of her two brothers, Bill and John.

Frances was the essence of a “tomboy.” The world that interested her was outside, not inside. She competed in track and field for her 465 member high school – Tucson High School – the only school in town.

Upon graduation, at the age of 17, she followed her father’s footsteps and went to work for the federal government at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. The year was 1943 – the middle of WWII – and included some first hand experiences of the tragedy of war.

Frances later moved to California, and because of her math skills, moved up in the ranks as an accountant and became a controller at the largest Strategic Air Command base in the world – March Air Force Base. After several decades, she retired from the federal government while working for the Department of the Navy’s Weapon Division in Charleston, South Carolina.

Frances wasn’t all numbers. She loved to paint and sing and had a talent for both. She came from a musical family and they often performed as a quintet for churches and other organizations. Other “harmonious” family members were often included in the mix as well.

She loved her church and her choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Hemet, and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Harmoneers as they performed at the church and around the community.

Frances enjoyed life and loved her friends, but nothing in this world surpassed her love for her family! Here is a partial list:

Husband: John Renau (deceased)

Siblings: Bill Gibson (deceased), Lilly Gibson (sister-n-law), John Gibson (deceased), Jewel Gibson (sister-n-law),

Children: Diana Lynn Moore (deceased), Wayne Moore (son-n-law), Mick Ukleja, Louise Ukleja (daughter-n-law)

Grandchildren: Gina Luscy, Mark Ukleja, Michelle Curtis

Great Grandchildren: Conner Luscy, Ford Luscy, Thaddeus Ukleja, Connor Curtis, Summit Ukleja