Mariana Huish Francis

Our loving mother, Mariana Huish Francis, peacefully passed November 17, 2024 with her boys and family surrounding her. Mariana was born July 13 th , 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 8 th , 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 14 th , 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 7 th , 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.