Frances Gonzales Cantu

FRANCES CANTU

Frances Gonzales Cantu, life-long resident of Roswell, NM departed this world peacefully in Los Gatos, CA on April 23, 2024, just four days prior to her 94th birthday. Frances was born in Roswell, NM, on April 27, 1930, to Adelina Montoya Gonzales and Santiago (Jim) Gonzales. 

On March 14, 1950, Frances married William (Bill) Cantu. She was a dedicated homemaker and a loving mother of four children, Billy, Cindy, Donald and Cathy. 

Frances said that she didn’t know how to cook when she got married, but she perfected her skills and was a fantastic cook to everyone she knew. She could put a delicious meal on the table in a matter of minutes and her homemade Mexican food, tortillas and pies were a favorite to all. 

Over the years, Frances worked at various jobs, including childcare and adult caregiving. When her children were young, she volunteered for the PTA, 4-H, Girl Scouts, and as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. 

Frances enjoyed listening to music and loved to dance. She loved kicking up her heels at her favorite clubs, The Flamingo, Rulons, Bud’s, the Tower, and her family’s Star Bar. Frances spent much of the last five years in California with her children, but her heart was always in Roswell. She was very proud of her Mexican heritage and took great pride in being a Roswell native. If you had anything negative to say about Roswell you were wise not to do it in front of Frances as she wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that there’s no better place to live. 

Frances is survived by her sister, Sonia (Alfonso) Valverde of Roswell; her children, Cindy (Jim) Liquori of San Jose, CA; Donald (Susie) Cantu of Sonora, CA; and Cathy (Tony) Vieira of San Jose, CA.; several grandchildren; great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends that are also left behind. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, her son, Billy Cantu, her four brothers and one other sister.

Frances is dearly loved and will be missed by many. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Ballard Funeral Home at 910 S. Main St. at 11:00 A.M.