FRANCES LOUELLA ROMERO

1938-2024

Longtime Bishop resident Frances Louella Romero passed away suddenly at Northern Inyo Hospital, surrounded by family who loved her so much, on November 26, 2024. She was 86.

Frances was born to Albert and Bessie Summers on September 12, 1938, in Lee Vining, California. Frances was a proud member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe and was the 2024 Honored Elder and Grand Marshall in the California Indian Days parade.

She was a graduate of Bishop High School, and her first job was at the age of 14. Frances also worked at Bishop Elementary School as a teacher’s aide, the Bishop Indian Education Center, and the Tri-County Health Clinic (now the Toiyabe Indian Health Project), and also for the Bishop Paiute Tribe in the fiscal department; she was office manager for the first college in Bishop, now known as Cerro Coso Community College. Frances was also office manager for Bishop Paiute Development Corporation and also sat on numerous boards and committees, including Bishop Paiute Gaming Corporation, Bishop Indian Education Board, Tribal Court, and Jill Kinmont Scholarship. Frances was also elected to the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council and Owens Valley Board of Trustees.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Edward and Robert Summers, sister Catherine Barlow, Carol Turner, Patricia Stone, and her son Daniel “Dink” Romero Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Danny; children Lynette of Bishop; Kenny and spouse Kandy of Rosamond, CA.; Phillip and daughter Kiara of Corona, CA.; Jeff and spouse Marissa; and their children Brock and spouse Tawni, Beau, Connor, and Catera; and her fiancé, Mario Cerros, all of Bishop. Great-grandchildren Kinlei, Talon, and Nixon Romero of Bishop. Sister-in-Law Ruby McHenry of Carson City, NV. Also, numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on December 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Valley Presbyterian Church at 2912 West Line Street.

Burial to follow at Sunland Cemetery.

Potluck to follow burial at the Valley Presbyterian Church.

Frances was such an asset to her family and Tribe and will be truly missed by all.