Mary E. Franco
May 12, 1940 ~ September 17, 2023 (age 83) 83 Years Old
Mary Franco Obituary
My dear Mama, Nana, Teacher Mary, “Mary Franco” was called home to be with her Heavenly Father on September 17, 2023, at the age of 83.
Mary was born on May 12, 1940, to Eusebio and Anita Magallanes in Durango, Mexico. They moved to Scottsbluff, Ne. where she met her High School Sweetheart and love of her life, Fred Franco. After graduation from Scottsbluff High School, she worked while waiting for her love as he served our country for 4 years in the Air Force. They then married in 1965 and both went to Chadron State College where she was also hired as the Resident Director. They were blessed with their son, Freddie and after graduation they moved back to their hometown; Scottsbluff where their daughter AnnaMarie was born.
In 1973, Mary and her family moved to California where she then earned her degree in Early Childhood Education and started her career with the hearing impaired and special needs children in the public school system for several years. Mary learned early on in her life the value of family and throughout her life, her family was the most important. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren with all that she was. She took pride in her children supporting them as Team Mom, Girl Scout Leader, Boosters, PTA President and faithfully attending all their sporting and school activities.
Mary had so much love, there wasn’t a person or child that she did not call her own. And in 1989, she and her family moved to Hanford California. With her desire and passion to prepare children for their future, she decided that her loving home was the best place for that. To continue to show her love for children, she and her husband turned their home into the “Franco Child Care Preschool” For 13 years they lovingly ran a Pre-K program curriculum, and she was known as “Teacher Mary” to all.
Along with her love for children, she was very active in her City and Catholic communities. She was an assistant Cheerleader Coach for Hanford High School as well as an active member of the Red Hatters Society, Sorority Beta Sigma Phi, and Soroptimist-“Encouraging Women in Higher Education” She was also a member of Mending Hearts and a devout supporter and member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Mary loved country dancing several days a week with her “Dance Family” and shopping for anything that had bling! Her dedication to her community was like no other. She enjoyed attending the local Farmers Market every Thursday for 24 years and traveled to listen to her favorite local bands. Everyone was family to her. If you knew her, you were family.
Mary was then blessed to move to Texas with her daughter and granddaughters whom she adored more than life itself. She enjoyed spending time with her Texan family friends watching movies, going out to eat and drinking the finest wines. She even bought and decorated her Texas Stenson Cowboy hat with her granddaughters which was what she had always wanted to do.
She will forever be known as the best Nana by her grandchildren and remembered for her smile, calming and fun-loving spirit and her favorite movie to watch with them and her friends, Mama Mia.
“Making a Difference in People's lives is my love…all with a smile” ~Mary Franco
Mary leaves her daughter, AnnaMarie Stroh of Frisco, Texas; granddaughters, Haley Stroh and Kelsey Stroh both of Frisco, Texas; daughter-in-law, Danielle Franco of Hanford, California; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.
Proceeding Mary in death were her husband and soulmate of 46 years, Fred Franco; son, Freddie Franco II; her dad Eusebio Magallanes; mom, Anita Magallanes; brother, Herb Magallanes; and sister, Hope Towell.
Visitation for Mary will be on Thursday Oct. 5, 2023, from 4-7pm with a recitation of the Holy Rosary from 6-6:30 at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W. Bush St., Hanford, CA. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, Oct. 6 at 10am at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 1001 N Douty St., Hanford, CA. Burial will follow at Hanford Cemetery.
Mama was ALL about living for the day and to the fullest! Immediately following the interment, we will have a reception to Celebrate her life at one of her favorite places. Please come join us as we break bread, Eulogize, Dance and Celebrate her while enjoying a special treat of music by some of her favorite people. (Fraternal Hall 1015 N. 10 Ave, Hanford)
Visitation
Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service
Thursday, October 05, 2023
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
100 W. Bush St
Hanford, CA 93230
Rosary
Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service
Thursday, October 05, 2023
6:00 PM
100 W. Bush St
Hanford, CA 93230
Funeral Mass
St. Brigid's Catholic Church
Friday, October 06, 2023
10:00 AM
1001 N. Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
Burial
Hanford Cemetery District
Friday, October 06, 2023
11:30 AM
10500 S. 10th Ave
Hanford, CA 93230
Mary was born on May 12, 1940, to Eusebio and Anita Magallanes in Durango, Mexico. They moved to Scottsbluff, Ne. where she met her High School Sweetheart and love of her life, Fred Franco. After graduation from Scottsbluff High School, she worked while waiting for her love as he served our country for 4 years in the Air Force. They then married in 1965 and both went to Chadron State College where she was also hired as the Resident Director. They were blessed with their son, Freddie and after graduation they moved back to their hometown; Scottsbluff where their daughter AnnaMarie was born.
In 1973, Mary and her family moved to California where she then earned her degree in Early Childhood Education and started her career with the hearing impaired and special needs children in the public school system for several years. Mary learned early on in her life the value of family and throughout her life, her family was the most important. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren with all that she was. She took pride in her children supporting them as Team Mom, Girl Scout Leader, Boosters, PTA President and faithfully attending all their sporting and school activities.
Mary had so much love, there wasn’t a person or child that she did not call her own. And in 1989, she and her family moved to Hanford California. With her desire and passion to prepare children for their future, she decided that her loving home was the best place for that. To continue to show her love for children, she and her husband turned their home into the “Franco Child Care Preschool” For 13 years they lovingly ran a Pre-K program curriculum, and she was known as “Teacher Mary” to all.
Along with her love for children, she was very active in her City and Catholic communities. She was an assistant Cheerleader Coach for Hanford High School as well as an active member of the Red Hatters Society, Sorority Beta Sigma Phi, and Soroptimist-“Encouraging Women in Higher Education” She was also a member of Mending Hearts and a devout supporter and member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Mary loved country dancing several days a week with her “Dance Family” and shopping for anything that had bling! Her dedication to her community was like no other. She enjoyed attending the local Farmers Market every Thursday for 24 years and traveled to listen to her favorite local bands. Everyone was family to her. If you knew her, you were family.
Mary was then blessed to move to Texas with her daughter and granddaughters whom she adored more than life itself. She enjoyed spending time with her Texan family friends watching movies, going out to eat and drinking the finest wines. She even bought and decorated her Texas Stenson Cowboy hat with her granddaughters which was what she had always wanted to do.
She will forever be known as the best Nana by her grandchildren and remembered for her smile, calming and fun-loving spirit and her favorite movie to watch with them and her friends, Mama Mia.
“Making a Difference in People's lives is my love…all with a smile” ~Mary Franco
Mary leaves her daughter, AnnaMarie Stroh of Frisco, Texas; granddaughters, Haley Stroh and Kelsey Stroh both of Frisco, Texas; daughter-in-law, Danielle Franco of Hanford, California; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.
Proceeding Mary in death were her husband and soulmate of 46 years, Fred Franco; son, Freddie Franco II; her dad Eusebio Magallanes; mom, Anita Magallanes; brother, Herb Magallanes; and sister, Hope Towell.
Visitation for Mary will be on Thursday Oct. 5, 2023, from 4-7pm with a recitation of the Holy Rosary from 6-6:30 at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W. Bush St., Hanford, CA. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, Oct. 6 at 10am at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 1001 N Douty St., Hanford, CA. Burial will follow at Hanford Cemetery.
Mama was ALL about living for the day and to the fullest! Immediately following the interment, we will have a reception to Celebrate her life at one of her favorite places. Please come join us as we break bread, Eulogize, Dance and Celebrate her while enjoying a special treat of music by some of her favorite people. (Fraternal Hall 1015 N. 10 Ave, Hanford)
Visitation
Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service
Thursday, October 05, 2023
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
100 W. Bush St
Hanford, CA 93230
Rosary
Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service
Thursday, October 05, 2023
6:00 PM
100 W. Bush St
Hanford, CA 93230
Funeral Mass
St. Brigid's Catholic Church
Friday, October 06, 2023
10:00 AM
1001 N. Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
Burial
Hanford Cemetery District
Friday, October 06, 2023
11:30 AM
10500 S. 10th Ave
Hanford, CA 93230
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary E. Franco, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Mary E. Franco?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Mary's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Mary E. Franco
© 2023 Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility