Frances Diaz Santellan

Frances Santellan, born in Santa Rita, New Mexico, on September 28, 1922, passed away on April 6, 2016 at the age of 93. The second of five children, she moved with her family to California where she met and married her life-long love, Pete Santellan. Frances spent most of her life as a homemaker, maintaining their home in Woodlake, CA, raising their two sons while her husband Pete grew a successful farm labor contractor business and eventually purchased farms of his own. Having reached no higher education than 8th grade themselves, they saw both their sons through college with bachelor’s degrees. Widowed at the age of 91 she lived the last two years of her life in Visalia with her eldest son.

Frances always had a sense of humor, often making subtle jokes and telling silly fibs. She was a loving and loved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Frances always had a tender spot for animals, having kept a warm and loving home for various birds, cats, and dogs.

She is survived by her sons Ruben and Mario, daughters-in-law, Anita and Sherri, grandchildren Derek, Steven, Monica, Angela, Jocelyn, and great-grandchildren, Arianna and Aubrey.

Services will be held in her hometown of Woodlake, California with visitation being held on Monday, April 11, 2016 from 2 – 5:30 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel , 134 Cypress in Woodlake. Rosary will be prayed at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Woodlake on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 6 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 9 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Burial will follow immediately at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 N. Cypress St., Woodlake, CA

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millermemorialchapel.com

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 134 Cypress, Woodlake, CA 93286 (559) 732-8371.rrangements under the direction of Miller Memorial Chapel, Woodlake, CA.