Frances Elaine Cota-Robles

Frances Elaine Cota-Robles (née Brooks), 82, of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on October 4, 1943, in Tucson, Arizona, to Thurman Andrew Brooks and Guadalupe “Lupe” Brooks (née Mejia), Frances was raised in Tucson and graduated from Pueblo High School. She developed a lifelong love of music and earned a scholarship to study violin at the University of Arizona. A feisty competitor who enjoyed winning games with family and friends, she also loved puzzles, movies, shopping, and decorating. She possessed a witty sense of humor and was always ready to listen or offer a comforting shoulder.

On November 27, 1965, Frances married the love of her life, Alfonso Hector Cota-Robles, at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson. Their marriage was rooted in faith and devotion to family. She spent most of her life in Tucson and later Sierra Vista, where she worked for many years at Southwest Gas until her retirement in 2000. Known for her selfless nature, Frances provided tender and steadfast care to her family and offered help to anyone who needed it, especially her beloved Nina Marie and all of her grandchildren. In 2001, she moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, to be closer to her daughter and family. There she remained active in her parish at St. Luke’s Catholic Church for as long as her health allowed, playing violin during Sunday Mass and teaching CCD, where she created a special class for students with Autism.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso Hector Cota-Robles; her parents; her sisters, Thelma Ann Léon, Betty Jo Perez, Terry Rodriguez, Vera Burgett, and Eunice Bolten; and her brothers, Thurman Andrew Brooks Jr. and William Cowley.

She is survived by her children, Andre (Teresa) Cota-Robles, Gloria (John Rossi) Cota-Robles, and Vito (Charity) Cota-Robles; her grandchildren, Sean Michael Cota-Robles, Christina (Michael Chaudhary) Cota-Robles, Mia Cota-Robles Rossi, John Cota-Robles Rossi, Katherine (Nathan) Zabel, Sadie Cota-Robles, and Eva Cota-Robles; and her great-grandchildren, Leo Cota-Robles Chaudhary and Amelia Zabel. Her children and grandchildren will always remember her radiant smile and cherish the unconditional love, kindness, support, and generosity of spirit she gave them all.