Frances E. Benitez - Brown

Frances E. Benitez-Brown, better known to us as "Pancha", left us brokenhearted on Saturday, September 24, as she joined her beloved son, parents, and grandparents in paradise. She was surrounded by those who loved her and true to herself.. she smiled, laughed, and loved to the end.

Frances was born on August 9, 1971, to Juan and Maria Rose Benitez. She was raised with her brother and sister in Yakima, where she lived most of her life. As a child, she enjoyed attending church, participating in church plays, and performing with her dance group. She also loved helping raise the rabbits and chickens at her home, often making them pets.

She loved talking, enjoyed working, and loved helping people, which led to her career in community service. She started as a CNA and later as a public benefits specialist at the Department of Social and Human Services, where she was employed for 15 years. She also "served" her community as a bartender at the Toppenish VFW and the Lotus Room in Yakima.

As an adult, Francis enjoyed sewing, spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She loved gathering to watch the Seahawks play football, singing karaoke, and baking and cooking for her loved ones. More recently, she took up crafting and often found projects to gift the special people in her life. Her face would light up with excitement as she told you of her latest craft, and her shopping trips to craft stores to get supplies. All of the Dollar Tree employees knew her well.

Frans greatest joys in life were the birth of her children. Darius LeMar Benitez arrived on May 26, 1989 and made her a mother for the first time. Then on December 8, 1991, her first princess, Adalyna Brown was born in Tacoma, WA. She waited eight years then shared a bundle of joy with Steven when Alyssa Bushman, her Bug, was born on March 11, 1999.

She is preceded in death by four infant siblings, her grandparents Praxedes and Jesusita Ruiz and Calixtro and Josefa Benitez, her parents Juan and Maria Rosa Benitez, her son Darius Benitez, and the love of her life, Steven Bushman.

She is survived by her siblings Jesus (San Juanita) Benitez and Juanita Benitez de Ramirez, all of Yakima, her daughters Adalyna Benitez of Rosalia, WA and Alyssa Bushman of Yakima, 12 grandchildren, Amiri Benitez, Leah Castellanos, JaDawn Wheeler, Kash Benitez, Kalea Benitez, Kruz Benitez, Legend Castellanos, Gianna Benitez, Jeffery Wallace, Zoe Wallace, Rafael Bushman, and Monica Prado.

Her greatest gifts were her carefree personality and ability to light up any occasion or room. To Fran, a stranger was simply a friend she hadnt met yet.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Visitation
Shaw and Sons Funeral Home
Thursday, September 29, 2022
2:30 PM - 7:00 PM
201 N 2nd St.
Yakima, Washington 98901
Vigil at 5:00pm