Frances Mijares

With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the family of Frances M. Mijares announce the passing of our brave, kind, caring, strong and undeniably compassionate mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She passed in the early morning hours of April 4, 2024. Frances was born on January 29th, 1945 in Abilene, Texas. She was the daughter of the late Jessie and Eloisa Montez. Francis had been in declining health for the past several years. She had been under the constant care by all members of her immediate family, and especially her daughters. She will be dearly missed by all!

Frances lived her entire life in Abilene, a beloved place where she raised a family, worked, and called home for the past 79 years. She is the loving mother of four beautiful daughters; Josephine, Betty, Eloise, and Lisa Marie, and is the adoring wife to her late husband Antanacio, affectionately known as "Nacho", who she met when she was 14 years old. She married Nacho at the age of 18 in 1963. They lived a very fulfilling life together, and now reunite again with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Frances spent a good portion of her life working for the Hendrick Medical Center and retired after 25 years of dedicated service to her community. Frances was a loving mother and human being. Her unyielding faith and devotion coupled with her true kindheartedness and empathy could consistently be seen and felt by her entire family, neighbors, and friends. Yes, there were moments when Frances would become protective of family and friends, and would turn an anxious eye or share a piece of her mind, but there was never a doubt in her dedication and loyalty to those she loved. Frances truly enjoyed visiting and chatting with folks, and always carried about her a sense of uncanny understanding and compassion. Frances made it her stronghold to cultivate and foster a sense of normalcy, protection and care for her children and family, spending much of her life making sure their needs were met before tending to those of her own.

Frances is survived by her four daughters Josephine (Mark Leal), Betty Leonard, Eloise Roth (Shawn McCracken), Lisa Marie Mijares (Abel Martinez) and two sisters, Rosalinda Rodriguez, and Meme Gonzales. Frances is also survived by her seven grandchildren Victoria Leal, Kai Roth, Gabbi Leal, Kaleb Roth, Angelyn Jones, John Jones, and Novalyn Martinez. She is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews. Frances is preceded in death by her husband Antanacio (Nacho), four sisters and four brothers. Her departure comes as a great shock and deep wound, and it is gravely felt by our entire family and countless others who loved her deeply in her wide-network of community.

Visitation for family and friends will be 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, followed by a Rosary Service beginning at 7:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Livestreaming of the service and condolences for the family is available at elmwoodfuneral.com