Frances Colmenero Lucero, age 95, was born on January 10, 1931, and passed away on April 23, 2026. A resident of Escondido, California, Frances will be remembered as a beloved and cherished mother whose life was marked by compassion, faith, generosity, and steady, hard-working devotion to those she loved. Her passing leaves a profound absence for all who were blessed to know her, and her legacy will live on.
The last child of twelve, Frances attended school in Tucson, Arizona, and later continued her education through ESL studies in California. She remained always willing to educate herself, earning many certificates to advance her learning—an enduring reflection of her thoughtful nature, patient determination, and quiet wisdom.
Frances worked in many roles over the years, including as a restaurant hostess, in private retail positions, as a caregiver in assisted living, and at times in seasonal agricultural work. In each setting, she brought kind-hearted care and a generous spirit—offering dignity, steadiness, and warmth through the everyday work that so often matters most.
Frances was the devoted mother of nine daughters and two sons, and she was also blessed with additional children as her own, treasuring the bond they shared. She will be deeply missed as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her unconditional love reached widely, and she was always willing to help others, meeting life with a cheerful heart that made people feel seen and supported.
Her home and gatherings carried the imprint of her hands and her heart. She loved cooking—especially homemade tortillas—and she enjoyed yard sales. She also found joy in making flowers, singing at family gatherings, playing guitar, and creating through arts and crafts, sharing simple, meaningful moments that became lasting memories.
The family extends sincere gratitude to all who contributed to Frances’s care and well-being to ensure she had a happy life, as well as to her close friends, nurses, doctors, and caregiving agency. With devoted patience, she also taught all her children how to read and write in Spanish—an enduring gift of love and guidance.
Her presence in our lives is a big loss. Still, in the words she left behind—“Thats life” and “the honeymoon is over”—there remains a familiar voice, steady and true, that will be remembered with tenderness. Mama, you will deeply be missed.
