Frances Quintana

Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Frances S. Quintana from Cebolla, NM, was called to her heavenly resting place on April 22, 2025. She was born in Los Brazos, NM, on September 30, 1932.

Waiting for Frances in heaven are Delfin Quintana (husband), Simodocea & Roman Salazar (parents), Luis & Dulcinea Quintana (in-laws), Fernando Salazar (brother), Ida Martinez (sister), and Elosia Abeyta (sister).

She is survived by her children Edna Cova (Guillermo), Delfin Quintana Jr. (Pancha), and Jasmine Quintana; grandchildren: Daniel Cova (Cindy), Andrea Cova-Bernal (Danny), Christian Stokes, Jimmy Quintana, Lauren Quintana (Nathan), Angelica Quintana (Juan), and Gabriel Quintana (Miranda), Great Grandchildren: Nickolas and Tristan Stokes, Jaydalynn Griego, Zander and Luca Cordova, Lena, Ava and Ignacio Cova, Xavier Aguino, Carson and Mateo Quintana, and Citlali Bernal.

Frances thrived working outside the home. At the age of 15 she started traveling by train every summer to Durango, CO, to work at the Mercy Hospital with her sister Eloisa. After graduating from Tierra Amarilla High School in 1951, as Valedictorian of her senior class, she was hired by Rio Arriba Public Schools as a Contract and Payroll Administrator at the Tierra Amarilla Courthouse. It was there that she met her husband Delfin Quintana when she processed his first teaching contract for Dulce Public Schools.

In 1956, she relocated to Albuquerque for a short tenure with the New Mexico Geological Service. She got engaged in 1956 and returned to Park View, NM. After getting married, Frances and Delfin moved to Dulce, NM, where he was a HS teacher and she worked in the School Administrative Office.

In 1960 a move was made to Cebolla, NM, where Delfin was building their family home. Frances returned to work at the Tierra Amarilla Court House. She often spoke of using an ancient posting machine to process the payroll for every teacher in Rio Arriba County.

In the 1960s, the Quintana’s moved to Gallina, NM, where they both worked for the Jemez Valley School District. Frances was hired as the School Business Manager.

Frances’ work ethic and commitment were well known. When the family moved back to Cebolla in the early 70’s, Frances was offered her dream job working for the US Forest Service as Office Manager at the Ghost Ranch Living Museum in Abiquiu, NM. She remained there until her retirement in the early 1990’s.

Many family members and friends have shared happy memories recounting the times they visited Frances at the museum where she would welcome them with open arms and give them special treats such as Smokey the Bear coloring books, Woodsy Owl magnets, or sweets from the vending machine.

While working full-time, Frances was often hired by private entities to get their finances in order. She loved crunching numbers in a manual adding machine and was able to get several small organizations back on track. Budgets, ledgers, and financial statements were her cup of tea.

After retirement, Frances raised her youngest daughter Jasmine, traveled extensively (including Europe and Venezuela), sang with the Sunflowers at the North Valley Senior Center, read NM history, and spent time with her grandchildren and her beloved Pomeranian, Buddy. Frances was loved and adored by many.

We are grateful to the staff at Morada Memory Care for the professional and loving care they gave our mom. We also want to thank Rachel Brackbill, RN from High Desert Hospice.

Special gratitude for Sra. Petra Martinez. We hired her as a caregiver and she became much more. She was mom’s best friend and spiritual companion.

May 5, 2025 - Public Viewing at 5:30 PM, Rosary following at 6:00 PM (DeVargas Funeral Home, Espanola, NM)

May 6, 2025 – Catholic Mass 9:00 AM (Holy Family Catholic Church, Albuquerque, NM)

May 6, 2025 – Burial 1:30 PM (Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM)

Reception after burial in Santa Fe (location to be announced).

The Pallbearers are Daniel Cova, Gabriel Quintana, Daniel Bernal, Clyde Romero, Lorenzo Romero, Patrick Silva, Joe P. Abeyta, and Felix Valdez.

The Honorary Pallbearers are Andrea Cova-Bernal, Lauren Quintana, Angelica Quintana, & Great Grand Children.

The family of Frances Quintana has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477