Ruby Napua Franco, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully December 14, while surrounded by her family, at the age of 83.

Napua is survived by her two children, Tony Franco (Gina) and Kalani Tovar (Manuel).

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Anthony Franco (Joscelyn), Jeremy Franco (Ann Marie), Samuel Franco, Anna Tovar and Kalani Tovar. Additionally, she is survived by her great grandchildren, Ariel, JJ, Julia, Jasmine and Jenna, along with the sister of the deceased, Mrs. Happy Bobbitt of Honolulu, Hawaii. She is predeceased by her husband, Billy B Franco, and her mother, Emily McShane.

Napua was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Emily McShane and Antone Gonzalves.

Upon graduating from Farrington High School, in 1959, she began attending Chaminade University and received her LPN degree from there two years later. Because of limited opportunities on the islands, she then enrolled in a nursing program that would take her to the mainland. First Los Angeles, then San Diego and finally San Francisco. It would be there that Napua would meet her future husband, Billy. Soon Napua and Billy would move to Hawaii where they had their first child Tony, in 1967. After a few years of living in Hawaii, they decided to finally settle down in Tucson, and it was there that their second child, Kalani, would be born in 1975. Napua continued to further education and graduated with an RN degree from Pima College in 1983.

Napua was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She was a well-respected nurse and worked at both Pima County and Carl Hayden hospitals. Eventually, she would find her way to El Rio Clinic, where she would care for the sick and downtrodden for 30 years.

Napua's passion in life was her family, and she took care of us until the day that she died. Other things that she enjoyed included dim sum, Hawaiian music, chatting on the phone with her sister or Betty or cousin Russell, and of course, her first love THE CASINO. Napua was an avid video poker player and enjoyed going to Las Vegas and local casinos, as often as possible.

The funeral service is scheduled at 9:30 am on January 2nd at Saint Augustine, Cathedral. The rosary will begin at 9:30 am and the mass at 10 am, both to take place at Saint Augustine, Cathedral. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00, at American Legion Post 7, located at 330 W. Franklin St., Tucson, Az., 85701.