Frances L. Smith
Frances (Pancha) Lopez Smith, 60, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at her home in Albuquerque,
NM, with her family by her side.
Frances was born December 30, 1962, in Santa Fe, NM, to Natalie and Ruben Lopez. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1980. She attended the University of New Mexico, graduating with a degree in University Studies. Following graduation, Frances accepted a position with UNM’s Interlibrary Loan Department. For 29 years, she worked diligently, spread cheer, and mentored students, retiring in September 2022.
Frances truly lived life through simple pleasures; spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending concerts, visiting museums, taking walks in nature, and of course, Hello Kitty.
She is survived by her daughter Natalia Lucia Smith (Stephen Moore) of Albuquerque, NM; three sisters, Martha Lopez Gilpin (Michael Gilpin) of Queens, NY, Lisa Lopez (Rick La Pierre) of Tucson, AZ, and Pamela Madrid (Kenneth Madrid) of Santa Fe, NM; nephew, Jobe Madrid of Santa Fe, NM; niece, Jessica Madrid (Mark Manning) of South Bend, IN; a large extended family and a group of loving, dedicated friends.
Memorial services will be held on March 11, 2023, at the Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, 1815 Las Lomas Rd, NE, Albuquerque. A rosary will begin at 10am, followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30am. The family will inter her ashes at Sunset Memorial Park immediately following the Mass. A reception will follow the interment at 1pm, at Los Altos Christian Church, 11900 Haines NE, Albuquerque. We invite you to wear pink to celebrate Pancha.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending donations for research to cure pancreatic cancer. Gifts can be made by check, payable to UNM Foundation and sent to UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, Development Office, MSC07 4025, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, or online at https://unmfund. co/PollyRogers. Please reference the designation Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and note, “In Memory of Frances L. Smith”.