Our loving mother, Mariana Huish Francis, peacefully passed November 17, 2024 with her boys and family surrounding her. Mariana was born July 13th, 1932 to Beulah Haynie and Leo Nephi Huish in Douglas, Arizona. She was their seventh child of nine. Her siblings were among her dearest friends. Her two sons were her pride and joy. Her grandchildren were her treasures.
Mariana attended school in Douglas through her freshman year. She moved with her mother and siblings to Mesa, Arizona the Fall of 1946. Mariana loved learning and graduated from Mesa High as a 16 year old, she was the Salutatorian, a member of the National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Gash Tso Service club and was the editor of The Superstition yearbook. She immediately started college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1953, later obtaining a Master of Arts in Education in 1968 also from Arizona State University.
Mariana met the love of her life, Gene Hutchison Francis, at a church fireside. They were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on June 8th, 1951. Her husband only lived 9 more years and passed from a terminal illness leaving her with her two young boys. Mariana, one of the strongest and educated women of her time, was able to provide for her family because of her education and her ability to teach. She taught school for over 45 years. Gene Huish Francis was born August 14th, 1953 in Mesa, Arizona and Bruce Rollins Francis was born February 21, 1957 in Ogden, Utah.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent her life serving others. Christmas was one of her favorite seasons and we will miss her joyous laugh and her famous lemon merengue pie. She had such a strong will and was a force for good. Her grandchildren were so loved by her and she spent many hours playing marbles, Trouble, pick- up-sticks and hopscotch with them. She loved holding all the grandbabies and had an endless supply of popsicles, crayons, colored pencils and markers. She took pride in her home which was so well kept and her front yard was manicured perfectly. Family was so important to her and she kept in touch with so many loved ones and friends through the years. She spent many hours organizing family records and hours and hours serving those around her.
Services for Mariana will be December 7th, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel located at 2424 N Old Gilbert Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85213. A viewing will be held at 9:00 am with services beginning at 10:00 am. The internment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery in Morgan, Utah.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Mariana was such a dear friend. We loved working together preparing funeral lunches. When I go to church now I always expect to see her sitting on the back. Loved her dearly. Thoughts and prayers for the Francis family
I have so many fond memories of working alongside Mariana especially with the many funeral lunches we had over the years in our Scottsdale Ward. We had some fun on school field trips as well when my children were younger. I will sure miss her spunk.
Marianne always had a ready smile and a ready helping hand. I still catch myself checking the back row for her sometimes. RIP. ❤️
She was an amazing mother and grandmother. It was a pleasure to know her and have her be apart of my life! I can only imagine the joy on the other side of the veil.
I met Mariana just a short time ago. I fell in love with her immediately. I could tell right away that she was a very kind compassionate women who had lived a life filled with service. We enjoyed treats, and reading together. She really loved her family and friends. She now has had the privilege to graduate with honors from this mortal existence. She has left me with many funny memories to cherish in her absence! Thank you, Mariana. Enjoy your loved ones on the other side now!
Bruce and Gene, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow and sadness. Its at times like this where the real source of comfort and hope come through the Plan of Happiness, made possible through the Sacrifice of the Atonement ofJesus Christ. Trust the Plan, it will always bring comfort.
Our hearts and prayers are with you with the loss of your angel mother. She was a gem! I didn’t see her often, but she would call me sometimes and we would have a nice visit. She was so good about keeping records and doing genealogy. When I had five little children she called one day to get all my kids birthdays for her records. As I was giving her the information I had an impression that there was one more child to come to our home. I even wrote down his name, Carson Stuart Tanner. I will always hold sacred that memory of speaking to her that day!
The service was beautiful!! I learned so much about her!! What a reunion they are all having in heaven!!