An interesting story told by piecing together the documentary history. Frances's birth certificate indicates her birth was "illegitimate" in the terminology of the time. The listing for her father is blank, her name is misspelled as "Francis" and her mother Fern's occupation is listed as "schoolgirl." Fern would have been seventeen years of age when Frances was born, likely sixteen when she was conceived. Frances's father, Francis Marion Dimmick, would have been 33 years old when Frances was conceived, and also married and with a four-year old daughter. Francis was a locamotive engineer. The situation apparently led to his divorce from his first wife, Anne, and he eventually married Fern in 1915. Francis died in 1942 and Fern in 1969, apparently that marriage lasted. Frances eventually took Dimmick as her surname. Anne remaried to Kendall Thomas in 1930.
Frances Thomas: Mrs. Frances Thomas, 32 Terrace St., Carbondale, died Wednesday at Carbondale Hospital following an illness. She was the wife of Kendall E. Thomas. Born in Carbondale. daughter of the late Marian and Fern Cobb Dimmick. she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Carbondale, the Womens Association and the OSEM Class, both of the church. She was also a church elder and a member of the Interfaith Prayer Group of Carbondale. Also surviving are two sons, John R., Eynon, and William D., Mentor, Ohio; five grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Marion Crocker, died Nov. 27, 1982. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church, Carbondale, with the Rev. William L. Hartmann, pastor, officiating. Interment, Rounds Cemetery, Union Dale. Friends may call today, 2 to 4, 7 to 9 p.m. at Shifler Funeral Home, 94 N. Main St., Carbondale. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, N. Church St., Carbondale, 18407.
Scrantonian Tribune
Scranton, Pennsylvania
02 Jun 1989, Fri • Page 7