Apr 16, 1933 July 22, 2023
Frances was born in Lubbock Texas just after the passing of her father. Her Mother Naomi with her toddler son Joe and infant Frances struggled in the 30’s. Naomi remarried and the family moved to California where Wayne worked as a welder for the Navy and the family expanded with the arrival of their daughter Mary. Frances graduated Los Gatos High School in 1951 and moved to San Diego where she met her future husband Nathan Leon who had daughters Lou Rae and Vicky from his first marriage. Nathan and Frances were married in 1956. They shared a passion for adventure and both became General Aviation pilots. In 1961 they moved to Salinas where they had a son and built three small businesses. They owned planes, motorhomes, motorcycles and boats and most weekends they were out enjoying life. In 1979 they retired and moved to Los Banos where they took RV trips and restored cars with local car clubs. In 1992 Nathan passed away and Frances became involved in volunteer work. First with local churches where she did bookkeeping and taught Sunday School. She played the piano and loved to sing. She was often found Wednesdays at New Bethany leading the residents in song. When the Los Banos Police Department formed a volunteer force, she joined and was “Victor 52” for many years. Throughout her life she was always known to be fun to be around. She loved telling jokes and the sillier the better. She loved children and could captivate and play with them with puppets and voices that kept her audience engaged and laughing. In her last years she and her very best friend Colin took cruises and trips to Chukchansi together as well as attend family gatherings. She leaves behind, as she would say it, her most wonderful son Nathan and his wife Yvonne, her best friend Colin, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends everywhere. We thank Los Banos Post Acute for their care during her final days. A Visitation will be held from 9am to 10am on Saturday, July 29th at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel 1840 S. Center Street in Los Banos. Private interment at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson CA.
