Fran Francis passed away on February 14, 2026 in Nevada City. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Canice Catholic Church, 317 Washington Street, Nevada City.

Fran Francis was born on August 4, 1934, in Kemmerer, Wyoming, to Paolina and Romano Seppi. Her mother died during the birth of her sister, and Frances—known to the family as Nini —was raised by her Noni, Aunt Fina, and extended family. The love and devotion of the relatives in Wyoming shaped her early life and remained a quiet influence throughout it. When their father remarried and moved to Ogden, Utah, Fran and her sister Pauline had to leave behind their beloved Kemmerer family—a change that marked the beginning of a new chapter for them both.

Baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, Fran attended a small parochial school in Ogden. A grade below was a boy named Frank Francis. Classmates teased that one day Frances would marry Frank and become “Frances Francis.” At the time, it was simply playground talk.

Fran deeply wanted to become a registered nurse, and, at seventeen, she enrolled in nursing school where she excelled. There she met three friends who loved her immediately and she, them. The three would remain close friends for the rest of her life—friendships she valued deeply and tended with care. Fran loved working as a surgical nurse, participating in the intensity and camaraderie of the operating room.

After graduation, she received a call from Frank Francis, asking her on a date. He persisted; she agreed. Their former classmates would later say they had seen it coming. Fran and Frank were married on December 30, 1957, and over the next sixty-eight years, shared a deep and rich love. The depth of their love was a major force in their lives. Together, they built a life that included three children: Gregory, Julie, and Kristin. They moved to Nevada County in 1962, and in a short period of time, Fran bonded with an extraordinary group of women. Her friends were part of her daily life—women who shared ordinary days, difficult seasons, deep faith, and celebrations large and small. These women and their families became lifelong friends; a chosen family.

Fran preferred a quiet life. She did not seek the spotlight. She was drawn to thoughtful conversation and listened with attention and care. She loved to sing and joined the Golden Chain Chorale as an alto. For her, music was a spiritual experience, saying, “singing is praying twice.” One of her gifts to the community was to be a founding member of Hospice of the Foothills. Her volunteer work for Hospice was an expression of her open heart.

From the strong women who raised her in Kemmerer to the family and friends she gathered around her in later years, Fran’s life was defined by devotion, steadiness, and care. She carried forward the resilience she inherited, offering it quietly to her husband, children, six grandchildren, and the many people fortunate enough to know her. In the same way she was once held and nurtured, she held and nurtured so many others.

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to Hospice of the Foothills or Music in the Mountains in honor of Fran.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary