Gonzales, Frances Spear
Frances Spear Gonzales, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, slipped from the loving arms of her family, much too quickly, on the morning of December 24, 2016. Born to the late Elmer and Henrietta Spear on March 13, 1932, in New Boston, Texas, Frances wove together a life rich in love and strength and a commitment to her husband Paul, and family for more than 65 years.
Frances left the lush greenery of New Boston for the arid desert of New Mexico as a young wife in 1954. It was not love at first sight. It took some time for Frances to be enchanted by the beauty of her new surroundings that were so unlike her home in Texas. As a testament to her personal drive and will, Frances made every effort to cultivate a new life. She learned to make delicious and authentic New Mexican chile, posole and tortillas providing a nourishing and comforting home for her growing family. Frances developed skills as a talented craftswoman—sewing, quilting and crocheting—always "doing" for others. To receive a hand-made craft from Frances was something to be treasured; she was a woman who gave a piece of herself with each gift. Her carefully honed life- skills were lovingly passed to her only daughter Teresa, who learned to appreciate nature, gardening and animals from her. Setting out their hummingbird feeders on April 15th every year was a cherished ritual the two loved to share and will now be poignantly remembered.
Along the way, Frances was tested by numerous challenges, including the early death of her son Simon, but her faith and belief in God guided her through the ups and downs of her eighty-four years. Frances’ nononsense approach to life and her tough-mindedness was an unwavering example to her family and earned her their undying love and respect.
Surviving Frances is her husband of 65 years, Paul; daughter Teresa and husband Ray Sanchez; sons Michael Gonzales and wife Melissa; and David Gonzales; grandchildren Raymond Paul Gallegos and wife Kitti; Nicole and husband Don Schmidt; Michael Martin Gonzales and Evangeline Frances Gonzales; great-grandchildren: EmmaRae Maurino, Raiden Gonzales and Zain Castillo; and great-great granddaughter, Nevaeh Rose Jaramillo.
Mass for Frances will be celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Bennett J. Voorhies on Saturday, December 31, 2016, 10:00 am, at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Albuquerque, with internment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. The family wishes to thank Paula and Sharon with Compassus Albuquerque Hospice Care for the care given to Frances and the many doctors and nurses and techs that gave her medical treatment.