Frances Anne Pittam Shears, 84, Hutchinson, died on Oct. 28, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospice House. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6 at Grace Episcopal Church. A private family interment will be at Grace Episcopal Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to the Hutchinson Public Library, 901 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501, or Hospice House, 3 Compound Drive, Hutchinson, KS 67502.

Frances was born to Frances and Dr. Radford Pittam on July 27, 1922, in Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from Southwest High School in 1939 and from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1943.

In 1944, she married Dr. Robert Shears and moved to Hutchinson in 1949.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years and their three children: Susan and her husband, Jim Hubbard, Prairie Village, Chris and his wife, Betsy, Boulder, Colo., and Carolyn, Newton Highlands, Mass. She also leaves four grandchildren: Matthew and Sarah Hubbard, and Jennifer and Andrew Shears.

Frances was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, a past board member of the Hutchinson Library Board and Hutchinson Symphony Board.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at the Hutchinson Hospital and Hospice House.

Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.