Frances C. Medley

Frances Castro Medley was born January 17, 1928 in New Orleans at the family home on Royal Street in the Marigny and died on October 22, 2023 in Lafayette, Louisiana. She was an extraordinary person who achieved remarkable professional success and served as a model to be emulated by others. She married Ashton Medley in 1951 and shared her life with him until his unfortunate, early passing in 1973. Frances was a graduate of John McDonogh High School and was awarded a scholarship to Loyola University resulting in her pursuit of a career in radiology, which earned her a job at Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans as a technician before working her way up and becoming the principal administrator of the department. Frances’ deep and unending devotion to her family was unsurpassed, faithfully caring for her elderly parents, Jose Castro and Marie Pascal Castro, in her home through the conclusion of their last years. Frances’ piety to her Catholic faith was abundantly apparent through her devout actions, thoughts and prayers on a daily basis, and in all of her contacts with others. She was the family’s “Nanan,” an esteemed and revered godmother of Ruth Castro, Lucien Castro, Jr., Russell Castro, Christopher Castro and Johann Castro. This designation reflected her dependable and consistent presence as an icon of spirituality, wisdom, and insight within the family. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Marie Pascal Castro, brother and sister-in-law, Lucien and Ruth Castro, and brother, Alphonso Castro. Frances is survived by her nephews, Lucien Castro, Jr., Russell (Joy) Castro, and Christopher (Leslie) Castro, as well as great-nephews, Alexander Johann Castro and Carson Alphonse Castro, and great-niece, Camille Jeannalyce Castro. Frances loved traveling and visited most of the United States, Europe and Mexico. She was an aficionado of music, art, and food, a true New Orleanian in every sense. A devout Catholic and most of all, a genuine and truly wonderful human being, Frances was loved and will be missed dearly by all who made her acquaintance. Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana on Monday, October 30, 2023; visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m., eulogy at 11:50 a.m., and mass at noon with entombment at St. Roch Cemetery No. 2. For condolences, visit www.tharpcares.com .

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