Born on July 24, 1926, in Colton, California, to Sautera and Leonoro Sandoval, Francisca learned the value of hard work early in life, harvesting strawberries and onions in the fields of California during her teenage years. Though she held a 3rd-grade education, she was a dedicated and hard-working entrepreneur.
She eventually retired from Farah—one of her favorite jobs—where her caring nature showed as she recognized her co-workers' needs and made them aprons. Never one to be without a day of work, she launched a successful stand/puestesito at swap meets across El Paso, which she uniquely shared with her daughter Martha, that specialized in baby clothes, children's clothing, and pre-loved dolls that she patiently brought back to beautiful condition. She also donated endless amounts of clothing to people in need in Chihuahua, Mexico. To this day, her regular customers at the Fox Plaza Swap Meet fondly remember and ask for her. She was a skilled seamstress, seller, and hard worker well into her 90s.
Francisca brought joy to many, especially during Halloween, when into her 80s she continued to make treat bags filled with nuts, candy, and fruit for the neighborhood Trick-or-Treaters and grandchildren.
Francisca’s delicious and soul-warming meals such as enchiladas, frijolitos, picadillo, sopitas, avena, “patas en vinagre,” to name a few, will be forever missed. She never failed to offer and serve her delicious food to anyone that had the pleasure of sitting at her loving table. She brought a smile to everyone who crossed her path.
Francisca is preceded in death by her parents, Sautera and Leonoro Sandoval, husband Jose Jacquez, and siblings Gabriel, Reyes and Juana. She is survived by her four sons, David, Joe (Lety), Arturo (Teresa Lea), and Martin (Olga); and her two daughters, Lupe (Fernie) and Martha (Jim), as well as many beloved and beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her beautiful and priceless “bendiciones” will be eternally missed by all who were blessed to receive them.
