Frances C. Shute

Frances Carline Shute was born in Lovelock, Nevada on October 20, 1925. She grew up in Oklahoma, graduating from Tulsa High School at the age of 17. In 1949 she moved to Rockland, California to live with her sister Barbara. She later moved to Fresno where she began working in the editorial department of the Fresno Bee. She loved working at the Bee and made many lifelong friends there.

In the 1960's, she met a handsome ex-Marine pilot, Dr. Sidney A. Shute. He was an Optometrist in Clovis, California and they were married in Carmel, California in 1967. They moved into the house Dr. Shute was building in the Sunnyside area of Fresno. Fran quit her job at the Bee and went to work in Sid's Optometry office as the receptionist. They enjoyed traveling, eating out, and establishing many more lifelong Clovis friends.

After they retired, their adventures included flying to Mexico (Fran got her pilot's license in case she ever had to land their Cessna!); rock hunting trips to the desert; scuba diving; gemology shows in Arizona; camping in Morro Bay and "geoduck" hunting in the mud flats there; special raised gardens for their vegetables; cooking specialties; huge Christmas Eve prime rib dinners... and so much more!

In 1991, Sid & Fran moved to Colusa in Northern California, where the air was cleaner and the fishing was closer. They lived a short distance from the Sacramento River, so Sid was able to hop in his boat and go fishing whenever he wanted. A wildlife refuge was also nearby, so Sid felt very much at home in the outdoors he loved. Sadly, he passed away in 1994, but they had 3 years of happy memories in their new city. Friends and kids loved to visit them there.

Fran subsequently moved 60 miles farther north to a little town called Paradise. She customized her new enlarged laundry room into an art "studio,' where she took classes and learned how to "tole" paint. We all received many adorable objects she painted, on creative items such as metal saws, porcelain tiles, tin cans, cast iron pans and anything she found that she could turn into something pretty and fun! Her back patio overlooked a green belt area where she could watch deer peacefully graze. She volunteered at many organizations and loved watching her neighbors' dog, Rufus, when they went on vacation.

It was these neighbors, Rick and Linda, who saved Fran's life when the "Camp Fire" roared through Paradise in 2018 and destroyed nearly everything in the town. Fran lost everything, including her car, her home and everything in it. She escaped with her purse, one change of clothes and her lipstick. (She forgot her toothbrush, but of course, she couldn't forget her lipstick!)

It was then Sid's children -- Steve Shute and Sharon Shute File -- finally got her back home to Clovis. She stayed with Sharon & Larry until she moved into a nearby apartment in Old Town where she continued to live independently. She later moved into Solstice in Clovis, still living independently. She was about to move into Carmel Village in Clovis.

During her "birthday week" in October of 2025, she celebrated her 100th birthday with 3 parties: one at Solstice with TV cameras; the second a pizza party at Steve's daughter Julie's house, with grandkids and great grandkids; and the third on her actual birthday, October 20, 2025, at Yosemite Falls Cafe in Clovis where her wonderful friends (and newest lifelong friends!) celebrated her with her famous martinis. (She loved it when Larry & Sharon took her there every week to see Roberto, Alycia, Jesse and the other wonderful people at "The Falls" who were always amazed at this cute & fun lady who was about to turn 100!). Her three 100th birthday parties reflected how much everyone loved her and how fun she always was!

Fran was predeceased by her parents, several brothers and sisters, her husband, Sid Shute; her stepson Conn Shute; her deeply loved son-in-law Larry File, and many more very special friends.

In 1950, Fran had a son and gave him up for adoption. Years later, after the birth of his third daughter, he began the search for his birth mother. What he found led to 35 years of love and many memories.

She is survived by this son, Bill Paske (of Morro Bay) and his wonderful family: his wife Terry, their 3 daughters & their 3 grandchildren. She is also survived by her Clovis stepchildren: Sharon Shute File, her 4 children + her 13 grandchildren; and Steve Shute (Netti), their 3 children + their 6 grandchildren.

Fran lived her 100 years to the fullest. She had an adorable personality, and we all felt very blessed to know her and to have her as part of our lives for so long. She left us with many, many fun memories, laughter & love. We will miss her!