Frances Read Nafius

She had the most beautiful and loving smile. She loved unconditionally. She adored her children. She was always there for us. She adored our Dad. She had a strong sense of the spiritual and sought after faith and God throughout her life. She loved participating in Father Virgil’s bible group. She loved Father Virgil. She was generous. She loved doing good work and volunteered at our schools and in our youth groups. After our dad’s death, she found new purpose and meaning by volunteering at Cottage Hospital. She was elected president of the Auxiliary twice. She loved reading. She was our mentor. She was daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, aunt, and great grandma. She was our confidant. She was THE shoulder on which to cry. She made us laugh. She put things in perspective. The world will be a better place if we can play forward the goodness she exemplified to her family. She was the best of us.

Frances was born in Los Angeles on September 24, 1920 to Jean Elizabeth and Robert Read Berry. She was predeceased by her sister Virginia Berry and is survived by her sister Katie Urbach. She graduated from Fairfax High School where she met the love of her life, Harry Nafius. Harry and Frances were married on July 2, 1941. On December 8, 1941, Harry enlisted in the Army Air Force. Frances travelled with Harry to flight schools throughout the country, then waited six long months while he was stationed in England, piloting B – 17 bombers on 35 combat missions over Northern France and Germany.

Following World War II and through the 1950’s they had five children: Robert, Mary, John, Anne, and James. She had eight grandchildren: Bob Nafius Jr., Tom Nafius, Paul Elliott, Meghan De La Cruz, Emily Nafius, Erika Nafius, Kayla Nafius and Maddy Nafius. She also had six great-grandchildren: Brenden, Joey, Leah and Sean Nafius and Jasmine and Nicolas De La Cruz.

We would like to thank the loving caregivers at Alto Lucero. We also thank Dr. Paul Aijian for his wonderful care. We are grateful to the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care for their compassionate attention for Frances and her family.

A private burial service took place at Calvary Cemetery and the family is planning a memorial service at St. Raphael’s church in Goleta followed by a celebration of life on January 4, 2019.