Frances Montano Tabares Obituary (2025)

Frances M. Tabares, age 100, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep, Friday, July 4, 2025. Frances was born November 2, 1924, in Alamo, Texas, to Ricardo Montano and Selia Vaca. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and a great-great-great-grandmother. She was loved and respected by all. Frances met and married the love of her life, in Worland, Texas. At the young age of 16 and 17, Frances and Raymond Tabares were married on May 14, 1941. Soon after giving birth to her first daughter, they moved to the Wapato/Toppenish area, where they grew and raised their family. They raised five children, but with the love of their family, it grew into six generations. Their five children gave them 30 grandchildren, their grandchildren gave them 84 great-grandchildren, and they in turn gave them another 84 great-great-grandchildren, from which so far have one great-great-great-grandchild. Once all their children were married, except the youngest, they moved to Edmonds, Washington. Frances worked at Stevens Hospital for many years, until she became disabled due to a car accident. In the late 1980's Frances decided to move back to the Valley and has lived here ever since. She began to volunteer at the Epic preschool as a volunteer grandparent. Although, when her own great-grandchildren attended Epic, they were not too happy to hear other children calling their Granny, Grandma. She later moved on to volunteer for the Wapato School District as a volunteer grandparent as well. She would listen to children read and assist the teacher with the students. At the age of 92, she finally decided to retire from the Volunteer Grandparent Program, and when the weather permitted, she would spend countless hours outside in the yard. Frances is survived by her daughter, Juanita Alvarado of Wapato, and her two sons, Raymond Tabares Jr., and Ricardo Tabares both of Everett, WA, numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Frances is preceded in death by her parents, sisters, her four daughters, Rita Hinojosa, Anita Tabares, Ramoncita Tabares and Baby Girl Tabares, her four grandchildren, Raymond, Laura, Rueben and Ricardo Tabares, five great-grandchildren, Savannah Alvarado, Kayla Tabares, Rose Marie Tabares, Ema and Ava Tabares, one great-great-grandchild, Mylah Cruz. Juanita would like to give a special thank you to her niece, Rebeca Garza, for taking care of Grandma these last four years. We will always remember Grandma's spunkiness, determination to get things done on her own, her stubbornness, her sense of humor, but most of all the love she showed her family. WE WILL MISS YOU GRANNY! A Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 3:00-7:00pm, at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W. Prospect, Moxee). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11:00am, at St. Peter Claver Church, in Wapato, followed by a Graveside Service at Reservation Community Memorial Park. A Reception will be held at the Wapato Community Center, at 3:00pm. Please bring your favorite dessert. Grandma wanted a happy celebration of her life, so to honor Grandma's festive spirit, please do not wear black. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com