Frances Anne Cortez Ballard, born April 8th, 1993, passed away at CHOC Hospital in Orange County on Thursday June 28th, 2018 surrounded by her friends and family. She was 25 years old. Frances fought a courageous battle against osteosarcoma for 13 years before succumbing to the course of the disease. Born and raised in Southern California, she had two siblings, biological sister Iris Ballard and nonbiological brother Peter Tran. At a young age, Frances' father Jack Ballard (passed December 28th, 2017) remarried to Rose Tran after experiencing the tragic death of biological mother Liza Ballard due to lung cancer. Rose graciously stepped in as mother to Frances and her sister Iris, bringing along Peter to complete a wonderful family.

Growing up, Frances and her siblings loved playing outside in the neighborhood cul-de-sac with their friends. Frances was active in sports before her diagnosis of cancer at the age of 12. She loved baseball, swimming, and running. In school, she excelled in many subjects, and her teachers quickly singled her out as having something special about her. Even to the day of her passing, she had kept in touch with multiple teachers from her elementary school days to high school. Frances also enjoyed spending quality time with her cousins from Long Beach. Often times she would spend weekends and vacations with them. She had a very special bond with her cousins whom she loved very much. As she got older Frances found her one true happy place, Disneyland. She attended the theme park multiple days out of the week when she was able, sometimes going with a large group of friends, and sometimes going with just one or even by herself. Frances loved anime and playing video games, and she was also very creative. She painted and drew original artwork as a hobby, and loved all types of music. However, out of everything that she loved and enjoyed, Frances absolutely cherished her cats. Jonny Cat came first. Frances, along with the rest of her family, met Jonny when he was three days old. At 15 years, he is still alive today. Kairi, her second cat, came years later. Frances was only supposed to take care of Kairi for a week while her first owner found another home. At the end of that week, Frances could not let her go. Kairi is now three years old.

Frances was known for her quiet demeanor. Never the loudest or most outgoing person in the room, however people were drawn to her kindness, gentleness, and silent strength she carried in her heart. In 7th grade she began to develop her relationship with God, and loved Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Her faith inspired numerous people because of how she trusted in Him even through battling her disease. In her moments of pain and suffering, she still allowed Jesus to shine His light through her, and she never ceased showing God's love to others. Was Frances perfect? No, but she believed in a forgiving and loving God who extends His grace to all those who ask.

Frances had many dreams. She wanted to travel and experience the world. Her disease often prevented her from having a full time job or taking on a full school schedule, but she had desires to go to art or graphic design school. She wanted to get married and have kids. She just had this hunger for life, she wanted to truly live to the fullest extent she could, and her experience with cancer gave her a deep understanding of gratefulness.

Frances is survived by her sister Iris, nonbiological brother Peter, nonbiological mother Rose, and numerous members of extended family. The family has chosen to cremate Frances' remains and bury them with her father and mother's remains at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, CA.
A viewing of Frances' body before cremation will be held on:
Sunday July 8th, 2018
12:00 p.m-4:00 p.m
McCormick & Son Mortuaries
25002 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92637

A church service will be held on:
Thursday July 12th, 2018
12:00 p.m-2:00 p.m
Mission Viejo Christian Church
27192 Jeronimo Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Reception to follow directly after church service held at the home of Iris Ballard
21002 N Hampton Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
All are welcome to the viewing and church service, family and close friends may attend the reception.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to CHOC Hospital in memory of Frances.
www.choc.org