Frances Espinoza

Frances “Pancha” Espinoza, 91 was quickly and quietly whisked away to her heavenly home on Tuesday morning, July 18, 2023. She was born in 1931, the 9th child of Benito and Senaida Chavez in the small village of El Prado in Taos, New Mexico. She loved her small hometown where she grew up humbly as a shepherd’s daughter, loving her view of her Taos mountain. She very irritatingly followed her older siblings around and enjoyed playing with a few nephews and a niece that were closer to her age. She attended Taos public schools and was crowned “High School Sweetheart” in her junior year. After high school graduation, she moved to Santa Fe where she worked as a secretary at the State Capital building. There she met Elizaido “Lee” Espinoza, whom she married 4 years later, becoming a resident of Espanola, New Mexico, where she resided for the rest of her life. Frances and Lee became parents to 4 daughters. Frances was a shy, quiet, humble person that worked hard and had a grateful heart for even hertiniest of blessings. She loved watching sunrises, sunsets and sitting on the porch on moonlitnights and star gazing. Daytime brought joy in working her small flower garden, updating her photo albums while listening to Christian music and working around her home. Her homemade tortillas, sopapillas, sweet bread and chocolate fudge were savored treats, enjoyed by daughters, nephews, nieces, and neighborhood children. Holidays were filled with mouth watering aromas from her cozy kitchen. Nieces, cousins, and her daughter's friends enjoyed sleepovers because the peach pancakes and waffles with ice cream were always a treat.The pride and joy of her life were her children and grandchildren. She was a proud supporter of all their activities. She prayed diligently for all of her children and grandchildren and their friends. She memorized scripture verses to pray over them and remind God of His promises found in His word. The gentle strokes on our heads as she prayed or comforted and encouraged, as well as her Spanglish, as she spoke softly to us all will be greatly missed. Frances worked as a diet aide at the Espanola Hospital cafeteria for 25 years, where she was cherished for her positive attitude, great work ethic, kind words and her sweet smile. Frances was blessed by frequent visits from her Goddaughter, Georgiana Montoya and cards and letters from her nieces, Victoria Martinez and Shirley Pacheco.

Frances was preceded in death by her “consentido”- beloved grandson, Daniel Lee Gonzales, her husband- Elizaido Espinoza, parents’ Benito and Senaida Chavez, brothers: Adelmo (Mercedes), Gavino (Lupe), 2 infant brothers; sisters: Rafaelita (Herman), Mary (Juan), Lourdes (Manuel Medina), Evangeline (Albert), Dora (Luis). She is survived by her daughters and their families: Loretta Maestas and Vera Martinez, Cathy Ortiz (Elvis): -Camille and Adrian Valdez (Evie, David, and Stephanie)- Chris Ortiz and Veronica (Ryan)- Bridget and Daniel Ortiz (Israel), Maria Gonzales: -Joseph Gonzales and Roxanne (Destiny, Davina, Daniel, and Jayden)- David and Andrea Gonzales (Adam, Lauren, and Kyanna)- Dominic Gonzales, Stepson, Michael Salazar: Mikayla Salazar and Sean (Annelie Rae) Loved like granddaughters: Serena, Solea, and Braylin.

A memorial services will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Service: Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 11:00 am Both at El Buen Pastor: 609 Calle Rivera, Espanola, NM. Interment: Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 3:30 pm Dolores Cemetery: 1082 Veterans Highway Taos, NM.

Pallbearers: Adam, David, Dominic, and Joseph Gonzales, Chris Ortiz, and Thomas Martinez

Honorary Pallbearers: Benny and Dickie Chavez, and Albert and Gilbert Montoya.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com