Frances Stein Picker's Obituary
Frances Stein Picker Resident of Fremont, CA Mar 23, 1936 – Dec 14, 2015We are heartbroken with the loss of our beloved Frances Stein Picker who passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday, December 14 surrounded by her immediate family. Our lives have been profoundly influenced by her loving-kindness, patience, generosity, and gentle spirit. Her experience as a 7-year survivor of late-stage lung cancer gives hope to all who face serious health and personal challenges that they too may live a full, long life despite a grave prognosis. Frances was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Bennie and Sona Stein. Along with her older brother Paul and younger brother Erving, Frances honored her parents’ struggles as Jewish immigrants by dedicating herself to her family. A scholarship to Brown University allowed Frances to complete a BSC in Physics. While at Brown she met Amos Picker, an Israeli physics graduate student. Upon graduation, Frances moved with her parents to Palo Alto where she began her career at the Stanford Research Institute as a test physicist. Amos also found work in California and they married in 1959. After the birth of their first daughter Sharon in 1960, Frances and Amos lived in the Hayward hills, generously hosting both set of parents. When daughter Ruth arrived in 1962, Frances stayed home with the babies. In 1966, while living in San Diego, the family welcomed their only son, Dan. A move to Sharon, Massachusetts led Frances to begin her long career as a beloved secondary math teacher. She enjoyed her work with students and colleagues so much that she retired only at age 72 from Thornton Junior High School in Fremont, California. Frances and Amos were best friends throughout their happy 56-year marriage. They enjoyed their beautiful home and yard full of fruit trees, always embracing family, friends, and community with warmth and good will. They travelled extensively, visiting friends and family around the world, fully enjoying being together. Frances loved and cared for her family with all of her heart and energy, giving us immeasurable support, for which we are all eternally grateful. Frances is survived by her sweetheart-for-life, Amos Picker; her brother Erving Stein; her children Sharon Amon, Ruth Picker and Dan Picker; son-in-law Ricardo Amon (Sharon) and grandsons Benny and Ari Amon; grandson Jeffrey Hammond (Ruth); daughter-in-law Lynn Gottesman (Dan), grandson Jason and grand-daughters Julia and Adeline Picker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Sona Stein, and her brothers Murray and Paul Stein. We will love and miss her forever. Family and friends are invited to join us at graveside services on Wednesday, December 16 at the Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward, California.
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