Frances Roma Portillo DeMare

Frances Roma Portillo DeMare was born in Silver City, N.M., on November 30, 1929 and passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2007 in Flagstaff, Arizona at the age of 78. She attended elementary & secondary schools in Silver City and earned a higher education degree at N.M. Western. Frances met and married William DeMare in 1948, while both were in college, and after graduation they moved to Coalinga, Calif., where Frances taught elementary school. After a period of time the DeMare family left California and began their special relationship with the community of Holbrook, Arizona. Many children spent their precious formative years in Frances' elementary school classes and she loved every minute and every child. Teaching was her joy and her life's calling. Holbrook youngsters were very fortunate beneficiaries for over 30 years. Frances' intelligence and wisdom, generosity, energy, love-of-life, sense of humor and kindness were also bestowed, without hesitation, on all who were blessed to call her "friend." Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for Early Childhood Education, serving on the Holbrook City Council, and being named Holbrook's Woman of the Year, were important milestones in her life. More impressive are the myriad of words and deeds for which she will be forever be loved & remembered: Translating for those who needed language assistance; explaining legal & other documents for those lacking understanding; wisdom & guidance for those who'd lost their way; love and a helping hand for those in need and always wonderful homemade food for friends, neighbors and family. Frances will be honored in the hearts of all. She is survived by the family she cherished, her husband Bill DeMare, of Flagstaff; daughter, Kathy Richardson and her husband, David of Tempe; grandson, Jeff Dillon and his wife Rachel, their children, Hayden Elizabeth Dillon, and Luke Edward Dillon, all of Flagstaff; grandson Jarod Richardson and his wife, Sara and their children, David Michael Richardson and Collin William Richardson, all of Camarillo, California; and granddaughter, Jamilyn Richardson, of Tempe. Frances was preceded in passing by her infant son, Michael Anthony DeMare and her parents, Frank & Roma Portillo. Funeral mass and a celebration of Frances' life, will be held on December 29 at 1:00 P.M. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook. Refreshments will follow the service. Memories and photos of Frances can be sent to jeff@foodcount.com for inclusion into the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Holbrook Arizona Library Building Fund may be sent to 403 Park St., Holbrook, Ariz. 86025.