Frances Sandoval

Frances Sandoval, beloved nana, mother, sister and wife, died on June 14, 2026, in Lakewood, CO. She was 89.

Fran was born in Denver on June 10, 1937, to parents Christopher and Mary (Gauna) Padilla, one of nine children. She grew up in Denver and graduated from Manual High School in 1956. She served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958, graduating boot camp in South Carolina and attaining the rank of corporal. She was last stationed in San Diego, California.

From a young age, Fran worked hard to support herself and her family. As a teenager, she worked at the Walgreens lunch counter in downtown Denver. Later, she worked at the Cottage Inn as a waitress and at Continental Airlines as a cook. In San Diego, she worked as a hat check girl at the famed Hotel Del Coronado, where she checked in Lucille Ball’s fur coat. It’s unclear whether she had permission to try it on.

Her favorite job of all time was caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and occasionally the neighbors’ children, too. She liked to cook and bake and took several classes at Emily Griffith, including bread baking and cake decorating.

On Oct. 26, 1963, she married Gerald Joseph “Jerry” Sandoval. He was a child when he first met and fell for Fran. When they both returned to Denver after military service, he dumped his then fiancée to pursue her. They were married for fifty-nine years and eleven months and had two children.

Fran loved to go out to eat and always brought home a doggie bag. In the spring, she favored fresh peas with Lays potato chips and an ice cold Pepsi. She also liked chilled watermelon and banana splits. Slot machines were always in season.

Fran was preceded in death by many loved ones, including her parents; siblings, Anna (Lopez), Grace (Hernandez), Benny, Leroy, Joe, Jack, Julian; and son-in-law Eduardo Alegría. She is survived by daughter Rowena Alegría; son Matthew Sandoval (Andrea); nine grandchildren: Brooke Mendez, Cameron Subryan, Matthew Mendez, Adam Subryan, Noemí Alegría, Lyndsi Sandoval, Joaquín Alegría, Nicole Davis, and Michael Cage; and nine great-grandchildren: Cheyenne Benigar, Eden Mendez, Kimimila Subryan, Braxton Mendez, Marcelino Mendez, Matthew Mendez Jr., Alyssa Davis, Thomas Davis, and Jeremiah Cage; as well as sister Mary Sylvia Hurtado (Leroy), brothers-in-law Joe Sandoval (Christine) and Harold Baldini (Mary), sisters-in-law Bernadette Fulton, Mary Helen Sandoval and Paula Sandoval, and their families, including many beloved nieces and nephews.

Recitation of the Rosary will be Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 7:00 pm, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.

Funeral Mass will be Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 am, at All Saints Catholic Church, 2559 S. Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80219.

Interment 1:00 pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236.

Reception 2:00 pm, VFW Post 9644, 2680 W Hampden Ave., Sheridan, CO 80110.