Frances Bicknell

MADISON Frances Burgoon Bicknell, 94, died on Monday April 24, at Agrace Hospice of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She was born July 22, 1922 in Franklin County Ohio to Reo D. and Edna (Grove) Burgoon. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 1944 where she had the distinction of being the first woman to serve as President of the Student Council.

A life-long advocate, Frances drew inspiration from Prov. 31:8-: "Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy". As a member of the OSU YWCA, she worked to desegregate the dormitories and to integrate Mortar Board, a national women's group. After moving to Madison with her young family, she advocated for fair housing with the League of Women Voters, the Madison Citizens for Fair Housing (co-chair) and the Coordinating Committee on Social Concerns (co-chair). As a result of this advocacy, Madison's Fair Housing ordinance passed five years before the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. As the parent of a son with developmental disabilities, she was also a zealous advocate for disabilities rights. What began as a small committee with school board member Ruth Doyle, evolved into a full-blown campaign for educational rights. Frances was one of an intrepid band of parents working with Rep. Midge Miller on the bill that would eventually become the Wisconsin Mandatory Education Act of 1973 - again, passed two years ahead of its federal counterpart.

With another team of parents, she worked to develop appropriate educational programming for their children at the Portal-Foster Center of Madison. Soon she was collaborating with Rep. Mary Lou Munts on the Guardianship Reform Act of 1973 -1974. She led the field in providing homes for people with disabilities. As a League of Women Voters member, she took part in both a 1997 and a 2004 study on long-term care issues, the latter time, as principal author. She was honored as a Good Samaritan by Edgewood College, and as Woman of Distinction by the YWCA in 2012.

In the midst of her work, she made lasting friendships and had some fun. She married her high-school sweetheart, Bill, during WWII. After the war, Bill earned a PhD at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, thanks to the GI benefit. Before Ann Arbor, the young couple resided in Chelsea MA, Columbus OH, Marietta GA, and Ames IA. Those early years were full of small children, long-lasting friendships, and trips home to Ohio. The move to Madison was in 1956 and soon it was home. She enjoyed friendships with faculty wives and a potluck theatre group, as well as her beloved First Unitarian Church, the Autism Society, and other groups. But most of all, she flourished because of her 43-year marriage to her husband who made her laugh when times were tough and protected her every step of the way.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Richmond and Frances (Ted) Phillips and son, Brad Bicknell, as well as five grandchildren: David (Betsy) Schwalbach, Paul Merriam, Elliott (Fabiola) Merriam, Blythe Phillips (Laura Shepherd), and Brandon Phillips (Mia Cruz Asher). Also surviving are niece Laura (George) Crowder, and nephew, Joe (Barbara) Allen as well as great-grandchildren: Max Schwalbach, Isabella and Alan Merriam, and Reo and Isla Merriam. She was preceded in death by husband William Bicknell, sister Emma Lou Allen, and daughter, Sherry Miles.

Graveside services will be private with a celebration of her life Sunday July 2nd at 3 PM at the First Unitarian Society. Donations may be made to either Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers Inc. 901 Post Rd. Madison Wisconsin 53713 or to the Burgoon-Bicknell Social Justice Fund, First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705.

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434