Frances Darlene Heath, 89, of Amarillo, passed peacefully on the morning of September 10, 2026.

Rosary will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter. The family will receive guests prior to and following the Rosary service. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the church with Reverend John Valdez presiding. 

Frances was born on February 14, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Louie and Mable Dorothy (Anderson) Strauch. She was a graduate of Classon High School in Oklahoma and a faithful and devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church of Amarillo. Frances was employed by the Oklahoma City Parks Department until she retired and moved to Amarillo to be closer to her family.

Frances’s whole life was centered around her family. Her love for them was unconditional. Her daughter Kristi was the light of her life. She adored her, and Kristi was in every sense of the word her best friend. When Kristi married Stan Britten, Frances welcomed him and the two became fast friends. Frances and Stan had a unique dialogue, but anyone in the room could sense just how much she loved Stan. The grandchildren began to arrive, and Frances shifted from being the best mom to being the most incredible grandmother. She loved every moment spent creating memories with them, teaching them, learning from them, and just being present in the moment with them.

After settling in Amarillo, her new neighbors became close friends. The ladies would get together on Fridays to have lunch at one of their local spots and spent many evenings just lounging on one of their patios enjoying each other’s company; sometimes even inviting their husbands to join.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents, her bonus mother, Lois Strauch, and sisters, Mickey Brown, Helen Spaan, and Deloris Owen. Those left to cherish her memories are her beloved daughter, Kristi Britten and husband Stan, grandchildren, Josh Britten and wife Kaci, Tyler Britten and wife Holly, and Lauren Hodges and husband Austin; as well as her nine great-grandchildren and numerous extended family and cherished friends.