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Frances English Obituary

Frances Bonnell English "went on to the next phase" as she liked to put it, two days before her 97th birthday on June 23, 2019 surrounded by family for a loving farewell. She was born in Cloudcroft, NM in 1922 into a homesteading family in the high mountains. From delivering milk by horse and wagon to cell phones, she witnessed many changes in her lifetime. She was a fearless matriarch who loved her husband and family first and foremost.

Her husband, Leroy English, passed away ten years before and her family all thought she wouldn't be here long after his passing as they were joined at the hip and did very little separately. Leroy and Frances were both very smart with much common sense and a sense of fair play. They made an interesting couple and accomplished much. As she often did, she surprised her family by learning to dance and yodel, read and laugh, and be basically noncompliant to those who tried to take care of her. She forged her own path. To say she was stubborn does not suffice; stubbornness is very prominent in the Bonnell DNA.

She is survived by her five grown children: Mike and Susan English, Pat English and Donna Alsdurf, Dwight and Karla English, Sean English and Alice Spitzer, and Mary Malarsie. She had 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

With her passing is an end to an era, a loss of another of that great generation who seemed to persevere with strength and innovation through whatever hardships came their way.

We will miss her very much. One of her favorite sayings from a 1944 song was, "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, don't mess with Mr. In-between." She had many old sayings, and in her last few years when she had thrown discretion to the wind, she would blurt out many that were not very appropriate but that didn't keep her from saying them.

A private family remembrance will be held in August. Frances Bonnell English

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Durango Herald on Jul. 17, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Frances English

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Not sure what to say?





Chris Waggoner

June 11, 2025

Sean, sorry to hear of your parents passing. My parents have been gone a long while but it still feels sharp and hazy at the same time.
The other Waggoner boy.

Mrs. Eva Kriwanek Debolt

May 13, 2024

Mary; I believe we´re in the same HS class. Mrs, Eva Kriwanek Debolt. My deepest condolences.

Colleen Asaro

September 9, 2019

I just found her again!
Her husband was in a room across the hall from my sister at Eden Hill in New Braunfels...
Fiercely loyal to her family...very well read...told MARVELOUS stories...

Pete Cartwright

July 31, 2019

The only word to describe the English family in DGO was iconic. Long ago we marveled, and even got to play, in the stunning beauty they had surrounded themselves in. Shalona Lake ranch is one of the most beautiful to be found anywhere. We tipped our hats to Mr. and Mrs.E every time we drove by it or when lucky enough to be on it. Condolences to all surviving family. You all have big shoes to fill and keep shined.
Thank you Mrs. E. for allowing and sharing with us the experience of such natural grandeur and beauty. If someone mentions beautiful perfection, to this day, I think of Shalona and that's completely true.
Rest in well deserved peace.

Wendy Schlyer

July 29, 2019

To the English Family: Mary, Sean, Pat, Dwight and Mike-
Sending my most sincere sympathies for the loss of your Mom. Frances was one of the "true Matriarchs"!! Frances always made me feel special. Love and prayers to all.

Wendy Schlyer

Karen Olsen

July 24, 2019

Your Mom will be greatly missed. I think of all of you often and say a Prayer for your family. Please let me know when you lay her to rest. If I can arrange it I would love to be there. Love and Prayers for all of you.

Jeff Kipp

July 23, 2019

Mike, Pat, Dwight, Sean, and Mary,
My condolences to you for the passing of your mother Frances and your father Leroy, ten years earlier.

"It doesn't matter when, where, or how, losing your folks just plain sucks!"
- Karl Freienmuth

Bob Brown

July 22, 2019

Hey Sean, I'm very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. Hope everything else is going well for you...Scoot

July 22, 2019

Sean, I'm So Sorry for Your Loss. Sending My Deepest Condolences, with Hugs & Prayers.... Barbara Boughan (Class of 75')

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

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Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

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