Frances Machado

Frances Machado
June 4, 1924 – March 25, 2017

Frances Machado passed away peacefully with family members by her side, she was 92. She was born in New Mexico while her family was in transit to San Diego, California where she remained a resident for her entire life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie, 7 years ago after a marriage of 67 years. She was a stay at home mother dedicated to raising her family with a high regard for the Catholic Church. She leaves behind six children; Bennie Jr., James, Audrey Joerden, Martha Walker, Socorro (Willy) Mundt, and Catherine Shaffer. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

She and Bennie bought a new home and settled in El Cajon in 1956 where they continued to raise their family. They were proud of their home, making it a landscaping oasis admired by everyone. All the plants flourished on their property; if it was green they could grow it into a fantastic specimen. Family and friends knew that the home of Frances and Bennie was always open and available for the impromptu back yard barbecue that made all feel at home. The back yard barbecues were countless, memorable events of happiness and harmony.

Bennie worked construction, after several years earning his ceramic tile contractor’s license. Frances did all the accounting and became adept at bid proposal. When labor help was short she would fill in, never complaining about the hard work or having to keep up their home in addition to working.

Once their children were grown and on their own, with retirement approaching, they built a cabin in Puertecitos, a fishing village, in Baja California, Mexico followed by a summer home in Hamilton, Montana. They spent many years between Montana and Baja California. With her husband, she found the spirit of adventure traveling to untamed locations throughout Baja California and mainland Mexico, all the while fishing and “roughing it” camping. Like everything she did, she excelled in fishing, one time catching a Grouper taller than her 5’2”self. Because they were in a remote location they could not weigh the huge catch only measure it.

Frances had a high regard for the Mexican natives, always there to help them with home remedies for various ailments, showing the young mothers simple cooking methods as well as providing what food and clothing she would take for them. At a very early age she taught herself to sew; during the lean years she made clothing for her children. She applied her sewing skills by making party dresses for the young Mexican girls. She did all this sewing on her Singer treadle sewing machine! As a result of her caring ways she and her husband were invited to numerous fiestas hosted by the locals.

The years in Montana were laced with memories of traveling to beautiful remote locations, grooming their property, enjoying their Montana friends and non-stop hunting and fishing. She didn’t like to brag on herself but what she considered to be her greatest achievement was bringing in an eight point buck when she was 70 years old!

Frances Machado will be missed by many but the strength of her love lives on by all those she touched and endeared.

Services will be held at The Church of Saint Luke, 1980 Hillsdale Road, El Cajon, CA 92019 on Thursday April 6, 2017 at 10 AM, beginning with a Mass, followed by a reception in the parish hall.

Her family is ever so grateful for the loving care she was afforded during her stay at the Angels Guest Home in Santee, CA, plus the excellent attention provided by Light Bridge Hospice. Together they made her departure serene and eloquent.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in her name to: "The LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation." website link: www.lbhcf.org