MILICENT (MIL) SPERRY FREDERICK
September 1, 1942 -- December 5, 2008
Mil Frederick was born and raised in Berkeley, California to her parents Mary and Fran Frederick. She was a fourth-generation Californian.
She graduated from Berkeley High School in 1960 and began her studies that fall at UC Davis. Mil was a Physical Education major and member of six UCD women’s athletic teams: badminton, basketball, field hockey, softball, swimming, and volleyball. During her 5th year, when she was getting her teaching credential, she participated on the first UC Davis women’s track and field team, something for which she had worked many years to see come to fruition. She served as President of the UCD Women’s Athletic Association. She was an outstanding student-athlete and helped champion women’ athletics before and after the passage of Title IX. She was very proud to have been inducted into the UC Davis, Athletic Hall of Fame, in 2000.
Mil was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2006. This was an unexpected diagnosis as she was never a smoker. Cause of death was metastatic lung cancer. She was 66. She is survived by her partner Linda Joplin (a former President of CA NOW), her twin brother Bosky Frederick of Berkeley, brother Doug Frederick of Granite Bay, cousin Helen Cooksey of Pacific Palisades, cousin Jane Frederick of Santa Barbara, nephew Stephen Frederick, a student at the University of Oregon, and niece Katie Love-Cooksey, a student at Swarthmore College. Mil was preceded in death by her younger sister and brother, twins Molly and David Frederick.
Mil was a resident of Yolo County for 48 years, sharing the last 31 years with her domestic partner Linda Joplin. After graduating, Mil taught physical education and math for 36 years at Fern Bacon Middle School, located in the south area of Sacramento, where she also coached volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Mil continued her athletic endeavors into adulthood, running numerous races including four marathons. She was a life member of the Sierra Club, enjoying backpacking from her teens to her 30Õ. She hiked the John Muir Trail in 1971 and the Tahoe/Yosemite Trail in 1977. After the age of 50, she learned to downhill ski and snow board. Since retiring in 2001, Mil and Linda had the opportunity to spent considerable time on the South Fork of the Trinity River at the family camp in the wilderness. Travels also took them to Switzerland, Italy, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Mil was also an active member of Yolo County, National Organization for Women.
A gathering in celebration of Mil Frederick’s life will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2008 between 1and 4pm. Call Linda at 530 756-2541 for location details.
Donations in her memory to support current female athletes may be sent to Team Aggie, 116 Street, Davis, CA 95616.
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