France Kelly Hilton

Frances Kelly Hilton, 91, widow of Conrad N. Hilton, died May 30 in Santa Monica, California. She was the daughter of Scottish-born parents, who emigrated to America in the early 1900's. At the time of his death in 1936, her father, William was comptroller of The International Harvester Company. Frances was raised in Highland Park, Illinois and attended The Marywood School for Girls where she was Valedictorian of her class. She then enrolled in the School of Speech at the Northwestern University and from there went to The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. When World War II began, she and her sister volunteered for service in the American Red Cross and were sent to the South Pacific. Upon her return from the war, Frances moved to the Los Angeles area where she became manager of convention sales for United Airlines. In 1977, Frances married long family friend Conrad N. Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotel Corporation and continued to live in California after his death. Frances is survived by her brother, William P. Kelly of Glencoe, IL and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Patricia K. Fawcett and Christina K. Jeffs and her brother, Ernest Thomas Kelly