Frances Irene Chavez

Frances was born to Mary and Ben Blea on April 3, 1928, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. While she was the couple’s first child, she would not be the last; Frances would have three sisters: Pauline, Carmen (now deceased), and Barbara. And much later, the family would grow even further with the addition of two brothers-in-law: Al and Andy (both deceased).

After the family moved to Denver, Frances met her future husband, Ben Chavez (now deceased). After they wed, Frances followed in her mother’s footsteps by also having four daughters--Paula, Elizabeth, Christine, and Mary--before eventually having a boy: Mark.

Throughout her many years, Frances worked many jobs. She would regale family and friends alike with her memories of working at JCPenny and Russel Stover, as well as making tamales and tulle Christmas trees to sell out of her home. But she always saw loving devotion to her family and friends as her highest calling. Whether it was through offering her treasured peaches and pears to visitors or by remembering others in prayer before the Sacred Heart, Frances showed love in every moment in her life.

Frances enjoyed many things. She never turned down an opportunity to go to the casino or yell “Bingo” at a church bazaar. Her eyes lit up whenever someone mentioned Shirley Temple or hummed “Tiny Bubbles.” And she never missed an opportunity to watch the Broncos while decked out in her jersey and orange socks. But her truest joy was simply bringing joy to the lives of her family and friends. While her life has ended, her faith and selfless love live on in the hearts of her surviving sisters, her children, their spouses, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren, and all those whose life she touched.