Audrey Mae Franco

Audrey Mae Franco, devoted wife and mother, passed away at her home July 13, 2025 at the well lived age of 98.
Audrey was born on September 30, 1926 in Santa Maria Ca., the daughter of Beulah Mae Draper and Gregory R. Guglieri. Her family later made their home in San Jose. Audrey graduated from Willow Glen High School and went on to attend a small business college.
After high school Audrey moved in with her aunt and later became a roommate with her friend Dolly Franco. When a young John Franco came to visit his sister Dolly, he became starry-eyed upon gazing at Audrey. A romance bloomed and she eventually became his wife. They were married March 18, 1951.
The couple spent their first few years in Morgan Hill but moved to Hollister on South St. and eventually to their Fairview property in 1955. Audrey's first job was working on the packing line for Elwood Dryden at his plant on Riverside Road. Eventually, she helped open and operate Sugar Plum Farm which at that time was a soda fountain but also sold dried fruit.
Audrey decided she wanted more time at home after the last of her three children were born. And thus, the Franco Day Care Center was started in 1961. She literally converted the family home into a full-time nursery facility. There were high chairs and play pens in the kitchen, and extra beds in every room. The front room had cots and even their master bedroom had a baby crib. The nursery remained open for over 30 years under her supervision with some second-generation children bringing their family to the day care center.
Around 1965 John and Audrey built a swimming pool many years before they built their current home. Audrey taught swimming lessons, from the mid 1960's until 2007, over 40 years. For decades after retirement, and to this day, people would approach Audrey or family to reminisce how she taught them to swim. This was one of her proudest achievements. Her motto on the fish billboard at the end of the driveway read, "wade in and swim out." She loved teaching young children how to swim.
Dancing was their passion. Their children would often see them perfecting dance moves in the kitchen or back yard cabana with music blaring from their jukebox. They were some of the founding members of the local Hollister Dance Club. All their travels included dancing, winning any contest they entered. They were the first on the dance floor and the last to sit down. John and Audrey would glide gracefully across the floor as others would watch in amazement. Onlookers would be huddled around them in awe as they embraced and twirled around each other in a splendid show of grace and elegance. It was like poetry in motion.
Audrey and John spent many years in retirement packed with trips across the country, to Europe and of course the gambling casinos. Audrey was well known for playing the one-armed bandits that she held up! She has five picture frames about three by three feet that display photos of her and the winning jackpots. She always made it a point to bring most of her winning's home.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, John Franco, brother Sam Guglieri (Camille), and sisters Sharon Conrad and Lorna Cudney. She is survived by her three children Mark (Debbie), Gail and Greg and three grandchildren; John, Amber and Joseph, as well as many nieces and nephews.
We want to extend a special heartfelt thanks to her caregiver Estella Torres. She devoted many years caring for both our parents with all the love, compassion and dedication anyone could ask for. We are also grateful to family friend Melody (Frederick) Rodriquez who was a frequent and dedicated visitor to our Mom.
The family is sincerely grateful for the compassionate care of Dr. Natalie LaCorte and Kim Flaten (Hazel Hawkins Hospital) who helped us through a difficult time. And, thanks to the Home Connect Hospice staff, for their caring support to all of us.
Services will be held at Grunnagle Funeral Home on July 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Ed Fitz-Henry officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow at the IOOF Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or Home Connect Hospice, 200 Brown Rd. Suite 106, Fremont, CA 94539.