Francie Lee Casillas

Francie Lee Casillas, 83 years old, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, while under the care of Mesilla Valley Hospice. Francie was born on January 16, 1941, to Frank and Isabel Corson in Susanville, CA.

In May 1962, she earned a BSN from Chico State, thus beginning her nursing career. She married Edmund Rene Casillas in December 1962 and worked in the Air Force reserves while Rene was stationed in Maryland. They then moved to Corvallis, Oregon where Rene earned his PhD in Chemistry.

In 1976, they travelled to New Mexico, where Rene worked as a faculty member at NMSU (later retiring as Dean) and Francie worked as a psychiatric nurse at Memorial General Hospital. She later retired from Mesilla Valley Psychiatric Hospital after 25 years of service. While retired, Francie taught DACC nursing students their clinical skills and continued as a licensed nurse until her passing. France was an animal supporter and raised several pets. She enjoyed all things exercise-related, especially swimming. She was head of the Red Cross Swimming Program for a couple of summers. She was very involved in her children’s lives and was a Girl Scout Leader and Boy Scout supporter. Along with Rene, she was an avid supporter of NMSU Athletics, loved to travel abroad and enjoyed the Las Cruces Symphony.

She is survived by her son David (Elizabeth), daughter Michelle (Michael), younger sister Nancy (George), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and other family members. Francie was a devoted wife and loving mother and will be missed by her family and the lives of those she impacted.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Getz Funeral Home at 10:00 AM.