Patricia Frankenfield
Feb. 6, 1938-May 1, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Pat Frankenfield passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at the age of 88. Born in San Francisco and raised in the East Bay, Pat moved to Washington, D.C., in her early twenties. She served as a congressional assistant in the Senate and a case worker in the House of Representatives during the Kennedy administration. Though she initially intended to stay in D.C. indefinitely, her plans changed when she met her future husband, Chet. Following his temporary assignment, they married and returned to California, eventually settling in Los Altos.

Pat dedicated 25 years to the Whisman School District in Mountain View, serving as an assistant to three successive superintendents. After 39 years in Los Altos, she transitioned to a condominium in downtown Palo Alto in 2004 before moving to Webster House in 2016.

At Webster House, Pat entered a vibrant final chapter, developing wonderful, close friendships that became a cornerstone of her daily life. Her family is profoundly grateful to the exceptional staff there, whose compassionate and professional care was a great comfort, particularly in her final days.

Pat was a deeply engaged member of her community. She belonged to the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto and volunteered extensively with the Community Services Agency in Mountain View, where she co-chaired the "Chefs Who Care" program. She was also an active member of the Morning Forum of Los Altos and served as secretary and board member for the Dudley Vehmeyer Brown Memorial Foundation.

An enthusiast of the arts, Pat organized a TheatreWorks wine and appetizer group that met before performances for over 25 years. Her personal interests included reading, hiking, and movies. She traveled extensively by rail and auto across the United States and visited five continents; she was especially fond of hiking in Switzerland and exploring the history of Egypt and Jordan.

Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chet, and her parents, Dorothy Scarritt and Guido Vannucci. She is survived by her son Michael and daughter-in-law Kelly; granddaughter Nicole; son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Camala Kolseth; and her sister, Angela Vannucci.