Ruth Franco passed away at Fresno Community Regional Medical Center on May 18th at the age of 87 years after a two year period of failing health. A native of Oklahoma, Ruth come to California in 1940 and had been a San Benito County resident for 40 plus years before she and her husband Tony moved to Fresno four years ago to be with her grandson. Their lives were spent together working on their ranch in the Cienega Area. Ruth attended the San Benito County Horse Show & Rodeo every year with her family. An accomplished leather worker, she made chaps and many other items that her family wore in the Parade.
Assisting others was a great part of her life — she served as a foster parent to over 80 children; worked on the fund raisers for Cienega School, the Cienega 4-H, and FFA Programs. “Her eight great-grandchildren were No. 1 to her and children were her life”, said her grandson Jerry Franco Jr. Besides her husband Tony, Ruth is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Jerry Franco Sr. and spouse Jacque of Yelm, WA; sister Ruby Gearhart of AZ; grandchildren Jerry Franco Jr., fiance Anabel Del Toro of Fresno; Steven Franco, spouse Karen, & Krissi Felice, spouse Frank of Hollister; great-grandchildren Jessica, Jeffrey, and Jonathan Franco of Fresno; Dustin, Lauren, and Lindsey Franco; Dominic and Anthony Felice all of Hollister; several nieces and nephews, and numerous foster children.
Friends are invited to the Memorial Service on Tuesday May 27th at 10:00 A.M. at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home which will be followed by inurnment at Calvary Cemetery Columbarium.
Contributions are preferred to Children’s Hospital Central California c/o the mortuary chapel.
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