Maria Ambrosia Francisca Romo Lopez Nowell

Maria Ambrosia Francisca Romo Lopez Nowell, known as Frances, 91, of Bent, New Mexico passed away peacefully at her home, the El Milagro Ranch, on January 30, 2026. Her funeral will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Apache Assembly of God. She is survived by her youngest sister, her second husband, and her many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Frances lived a vibrant and full life. She was a WAC nurse and carried that training forward in her fight for medical access and support for everyone, from soldiers to young mothers and children in need, personally caring for many more patients along the way. She taught Spanish to kindergartners while moving with her first husband and their children while he was still active military. She waited tables and then opened, owned, and ran her own restaurants and businesses, including The Coffee Cup and Pancha’s Villa in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She also served capably as a Board Chairperson of the Extraterritorial Commission, and when she was finished with all of that, she owned her own orchard in Bent, New Mexico.

In her own words, “Words are mere bubbles of water, but deeds are drops of gold.” Throughout her life, Frances led by example. She was generous to a fault, and always willing to roll up her sleeves to solve the problems she ran into. She was never afraid of a hard fight to protect her community. Her laughter filled her home. Frances raised her family with love and care and supported every one of her progenies to the fullest extent of her ability. She taught her many descendants the value of community and respect, and additionally, how to create art from the everyday, from sewing and painting, to all sorts of creative projects. She was also the Scrabble queen.

Frances was determined, loving, passionate, badass, and a truly beautiful human with integrity and great wisdom. She is deeply missed.

The Lopez family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.