Frances Estabrook Dalton

September 11, 1950 - September 21, 2016

FRANCES ESTABROOK DALTON Frances Estabrook Dalton, 66, attorney, civic leader, and matriarch of a devoted family died Wednesday, September 21st after a long battle with cancer. Born 1950 in Newport, Rhode Island in a Naval family, Ms. Dalton lived in Hawaii, attending Punahoe and surfing; moving to Washington and Holton Arms, and then to Philadelphia and Shipley School. While at Smith College, her study of horticulture led to her later passion for actively enjoying and conserving nature. Her lifelong legal practice after Temple Law School included: internship at the Public Interest Law Center; Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads LLP; teaching at the Paralegal Institute while raising young children; and then corporate practice at White Williams LLP. Ms. Dalton served on the Board of the Fleischer Art Memorial (an art educational outreach organization for Philadelphia neighborhoods) and the Vestry of Christ Church in Philadelphia as well as the Christ Church Preservation Trust. She also served in several capacities for Logan Square Neighborhood Association and has been a founder in the local community garden there. After retirement, Frances pursued her love of nature and active travel with trips to Asia, India, Greece, Morocco, and the Southwest. She has canoed, kayaked and rafted in Thailand, West Virginia, Maine, Canada, Cape Cod and several times with the Schuylkill Sojourn—the annual paddling of the 100 plus mile length of the Schuylkill River. Ms. Dalton’s work, avocation, and personal life has centered around her family in changing and challenging times. And her dealing with a 10-year illness harbored no compromise in creating the best for her spouse, children, friends and colleagues. She is survived by her husband, Sam R. Little, children Andrews, John and Robert, son-in-law Phi, as well as a sister Harriett Dalton Mueller, and brother Dr. John Shaw Dalton, II. A Memorial service and Celebration of her life will be held Saturday, October 29 at the Christ Church in Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to either the above mentioned Church or the Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St., Phila. PA 19147-2811.