Frances Mae Huntingford Schweizer

November 4, 1922 - May 27, 2019

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Frances Mae Huntingford Schweizer died peacefully at her home in Port Ludlow on May 27, 2019.

Frances was born November 4, 1922 on the Huntingford Family Homestead in Center Valley Chimacum, and was the youngest child of a third-generation pioneer family. A child of The Depression, she worked to support the family. Of her many chores, her favorite was rounding up the cows for milking on her horse, Mae. This environment molded her character, taught her devotion to her family, and gave her the ability to find happiness in times of adversity. She attended and graduated from Chimacum High School in 1940. After high school, she worked for the weather service in Port Townsend. At a USO dance in 1941, she met her husband, Herman Schweizer, who was in the Army and stationed at Fort Worden. They married in 1942, and during the war years were stationed in Memphis, Tennessee and El Paso, Texas – where their first son, Bill, was born.

After the war, they moved to Herman’s hometown of Tacoma, WA and added two more boys to their family, Gary and Kurt. She had her work cut out for her raising three rambunctious boys, but was always there with love and support for her family which meant everything to her. They moved to Mercer Island, WA in 1966 where she worked as the head baker for the Mercer Island Junior High School and was famous for her delicious cinnamon rolls.

Herman retired from the IRS and began work with USAID. They traveled the world together, living in Jamaica, Liberia and Ecuador. During these overseas assignments, she was often referred to as the unofficial ambassador from the United States because she got along so well with fellow expatriates and locals of the host country. After retirement from USAID, they moved to Port Ludlow where Frances was very active in the community. She and Herman started the Port Ludlow hiking club and had many adventures in the mountains with their dear friends. They also spent many winters in Big Sky Montana where Frances took up downhill and cross-country skiing.

Frances suffered a devastating stroke in 1997, but still maintained her positive outlook on life – always thinking of others first and never feeling sorry for herself. Her greatest pleasure was visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved looking at pictures and videos of them on the iPad.

Her husband cared for her for years after the stroke. When he could not any longer, she moved in with Tina Tanavass and Orvil Wise and lived a comfortable life until the end. The family is forever grateful to them for their love and care.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and five siblings, Irene, Dave, Grace, George and Bob. She is survived by her three sons: Bill Schweizer of Issaquah, WA. Gary Schweizer (Shelly Mickleson) of Port Hadlock, WA, and Kurt (Terri) Schweizer Port Townsend, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.