Lee, Frances Marron, 1902-1990

Floyd W. Lee He married Frances Marron, who came from a prominent family in Albuquerque, and they had twins born in 1928—Harry and Harriet, called by their parents Bito and Bita. In the 1930s, the Lees bought the ranch. He served twelve years as state senator from Valencia County, and was active in the Republican Party. He served as county treasurer for many years, and was a delegate to the National Convention in 1952 when Dwight Eisenhower was nominated for President and went on to win the Presidency of the United States.

Mrs. Frances Marron Lee, a most attractive and gracious lady, was born in Albuquerque to a prominent family. She attended the primary grades in Albuquerque and finished high school at Notre Dame College at Belmont, California, and got her bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

She was elected and served several terms as National Committee Women of the Republican Party. She also served on the Board of Regents at the University of New Mexico and chaired the Grants Municipal and Consolidated School Board. She was very active in 4-H Clubs, and was instrumental in getting the program underway in Valencia County. She was also a member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) in Grants.

In 1953, President Eisenhower appointed her permanent United States delegate to the Inter-American Commission of Women. She headed the United States delegation to the Commission's Ninth assembly at Asuncion, Paraguay. She was also appointed by the President to the Tenth Inter-American Conference in Caracas, Venezuela, headed by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Mrs. Frances Lee died in 1990 and was laid to rest next to Mr. Lee. Former Governor Ed Mechem was among a large crowd that came to pay their final respects. Their daughter Harriet passed away in 1991. Her gravestone next to her parents is inscribed with her given name, and also her nickname, “Bita.”