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Frances V. Mendes
Nov. 20, 1932 Aug. 22, 2010
mendes
Frances Virginia Mendes was born Nov. 20, 1932, in the home of her parents, Frances and Valentine Borges in Stevinson, Calif. She was raised on the farm in Stevinson all of her young life. She met the love of her life, Manuel D. Mendes, in 1947.
They married the day after her 17th birthday on Nov. 21, 1949. Manuel and Frances moved to their new house they built in Hilmar on a small ranch, which still stands today, and began planning their family.
Frances loved her family, cooking, sewing and taking trips to Monterey. She looked forward to the holidays when the family would gather for her home-cooked meals, especially her famous Thanksgiving Chippino. Frances stayed active in all her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, attending many school, FFA, sports and church functions. Her faith and church were also very important, as she participated as a Eucharistic Minister and co-chaired the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Fall Festival.
Frances was a charter member of Saint Patrick’s Young Ladies Institute #223, holding many offices including the presidency. She was also a member of SPRSI, SES Council #18, and Alter Society of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Frances is survived by her husband of 60 years, Manuel D. Mendes of Hilmar; children, Elia Fuller of Hilmar, Catherine Mendes of Hilmar, Manuel D. Mendes Jr. and his wife, Nora, of Hilmar, David Mendes and his wife, Rosemary of Hilmar, Rosemarie Todd and her husband, Bill, of Big Pine, Calif., Marlene Lisle and her husband, Mike, of Hilmar, and Stephen Mendes and his wife, Debbie, of Hilmar; grandchildren, Richard Fuller, Michelle Mendes, Janelle Mendes, Malissa Mendes, Davey Mendes, Lindsey Rosa, Dayne Mendes, Heather Todd, Zachary Lisle, Devan Jensen, Michael Mendes and Merissa Mendes; and great grandchildren, Richie Fuller, Jonathon Fuller, Oliver Fuller, Kyndle Mendes, Finley Rosa and Brody Rosa.
Visitations will be held from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Home in Turlock. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar.
Mass and Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar, with internment at North Hilmar Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Frances V. Mendes to the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Building Fund in Hilmar.