Martha Franco

Martha Ofelia Mendoza Franco, age 79, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, October 30th, 2025. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend. She is preceded in death by her mother, Lydia M. Ledgerwood. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Luis M. Franco, her daughter, Laura Dennise Franco Gregory (Matthew), as well as her cherished grandchildren: Matthew Luis Gregory and Andrew Franco Gregory. She is also survived by extended family and friends to cherish and honor her memory.

Martha was born in Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico. As a young teenager, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and beloved stepfather, Luther Bent Ledgerwood, residing in San Diego, California. Their travels led to Martha attending boarding school at Radford School for Girls in El Paso, Texas. When Martha’s stepfather passed away, Martha and her mother moved to Fort Stockton, Texas. Martha and her mother worked and immersed themselves in the local community. Families in Fort Stockton embraced them and sought for them to stay in the community, but that was not God’s plan.

Martha and her mother had a lifelong, inseparable bond forged by sorrows and joys. Their love for Mexico always remained embedded in their heart, yet they embraced the United States and each became a naturalized citizen.

God’s hand guided Martha and her mother back to El Paso in the mid-1960s. Their return to El Paso brought Luis into Martha’s life. They met while both worked at Continental Trailways bus lines in downtown El Paso. The business was a bustling mecca of travel activity, as it served at the time as the primary form of travel. Martha’s smile, kindness, and beauty caught the attention of all, but especially Luis. Years passed before they officially dated, but the string between them always remained. At age 25, Martha married Luis. Martha said he was the love of her life, and a good man that she would love “hasta la recta final y al mas alla” (until the very end and beyond).

Upon the birth of their daughter, Martha’s desire to ensure her daughter had a firm foundation spurred her lifelong quest to educate her mind and enlighten her soul. Martha led both her and Luis to obtain bachelor’s degrees while both worked full-time and raised Laura. Martha sought tools to ensure they successfully obtained their education. Martha, Luis, Lydia, and Laura lived at UTEP’s family housing. Martha and Luis often joked that they were the only family whose mother-in-law lived with them. Martha persevered through obstacles to ensure they obtained their education. She often took Laura to early morning classes, making certain Laura had a notebook and pencil to take “notes.” Initially, Martha pursued a bachelor’s in nursing, and nearing completion of her degree, she knew her gifts were better suited in another realm. In 1980, Martha and Luis graduated the same evening from UTEP. Martha earned her bachelor’s in social work, and Luis a bachelor’s in accounting.

As a young, Hispanic female, Martha broke barriers in her career. Martha started her career at Life Management and Aliviane. In 1985, she joined the Adult Probation Department, later known as the West Texas Community Supervision Department, as the 2nd female probation officer. Martha worked in northeast El Paso at a time when the area experienced a high crime rate. Martha supervised persons sentenced to probation, which included drafting treatment plans, conducting home visits, and appearing in court. She developed a zeal to assist persons suffering from alcohol and drug dependence, spearheading a substance abuse program, working with law enforcement, courts, and community groups. She sought innovative approaches. Her career at the probation department led her to supervise other probation officers. She embraced helping those officers succeed in their careers.

While working as a probation officer and raising her daughter with Luis, Martha continued her education. She worked to secure a master’s degree in counseling. Martha achieved licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor. After 19 years of service as a Texas Adult Probation Officer, Martha retired. Martha went on to establish Counseling Solutions of El Paso. She rejoiced in her lifelong goal of opening her own practice. Along her side, Luis managed the business while Martha devoted her attention to providing psychotherapy services. Martha’s fortitude in her career was spurred by a never-ending quest to help others.

The vastness of Martha’s love forever changed when her grandchildren were born. Matthew and Andrew were her “jewels,” softening her heart. Martha had an inexhaustible dedication to forging their character, mind, and heart. She showered them with love, as demonstrated by the abundant time she spent listening, talking, and supporting them through their life adventures and goals. No obstacle existed that could separate her from them. At every moment, she enthusiastically assured them that grandma/abuela would always remain in their lives to strengthen their foundation in this “earthly existence and beyond.”

Martha worked tirelessly to help others outside her family and work. She volunteered to visit persons imprisoned and spread the love of God to them. Martha sought the light of God in all and traveled the country and world with family and beloved friends to seek His peace and presence.

Martha’s love for all who knew and loved her was an agape love. She earnestly sought to do the good of others. In doing so, she found happiness. Martha gave her treasures to the most vulnerable in our society. Her life epitomized Luke 3:11: “If you have two coats in your closet, one belongs to you, the other belongs to the man who has no coat.” Martha served God without counting the cost and worked without seeking rest, without expecting reward, but only sought to do God’s will. She strived to seek God’s pardon and grace with a humble heart. Clinging to her faith as a shield against all obstacles.

Martha fought a courageous battle with her health. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and unwavering support of Martha’s medical team, especially Dr. Farooque Ahmed, Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia Blanco, Dr. Juan Felipe Fernandez, Dr. Ramsey Hazboun and his staff, particularly Maria Jacquez, FNP, Dr. Aung Min and his wife, Dr. Paramveer Saluja, Dr. Jeffrey Sherwood, Dr. Tariqu Siddiqui, Dr. Nahid Vandshekari, the nurses and staff in the third-floor telemetry unit and emergency department at Providence Transmountain Hospital.

May eternal rest grant unto Martha, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon Martha. May Martha Rest in Peace.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Homes-West with a Holy Rosary to commence at 6:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Luke Catholic Church, 930 E. Redd Rd. A Graveyard Service will be held at 11:30 am at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery, 4900 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa, NM.

In lieu of flowers the family invites you to donate to your favorite charity, or a handwritten note to the family.

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler Drive. Please visit her online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.