Mardene Francis was born December 31, 1950 in Lethbridge Alberta, first daughter of Ronald and Edith Francis. She spent her early childhood at the former officer’s barracks at the Lethbridge Airfield where her father worked at the Prairie Farmer’s Rehabilitation Association. In 1955 the family moved to Lethbridge where she attended school until 1967. Mardene developed a passion for music and a strong faith in the LDS church.
She was very active in school and church musical activities studying piano, flute and singing, as well as participating in the annual Kiwanis Music Festivals. One highlight for her was her role as Buttercup in the junior high school production of HMS Pinafore. While in high school, she was also a member of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and Lethbridge Musical Theatre. In 1967, she moved to Logan, Utah where she completed high school and enrolled in Utah State University, majoring in music.
1969 took her to Colombia, South America, where she taught the children of Canadian and American families who were there for development work contracts. On return to the USA, she enrolled at Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in flute performance. In 1975 she was called to serve an 18 month LDS mission in Spain.
In 1978 she enrolled at U of A in Edmonton where she obtained a master’s degree specializing in vocal performance. She then journeyed to Germany where she undertook advanced opera study, including major roles in Don Giovanni and Eugene Onegin. She returned to Raymond, Alberta where she was actively involved in local church and community musical productions.
In the mid 1980’s, Mardene returned to the USA where she renewed her teaching certificate at Weber State University. She taught in schools in Snowflake and Heber, Arizona and Toele, Utah for several years before deciding to further her education. From 1993-1996 she undertook doctoral studies in vocal performance at Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1996 she moved to Idaho where she taught school in Payette and later in Ontario, Oregon.
Declining physical health forced her to give up conducting choirs and musicals.
She returned to Canada in 2006 and became her mother Edith’s primary caretaker. She remained in Calgary until 2018 and then moved to Cardston to be closer to her beloved Waterton Park, as well as the LDS temple and family. She continued to make good friends, and gingerbread houses.
Serious health issues resulted in hospitalization in Cardston. She died on May 13 2023.
Mardene is survived by her siblings Bryan (Barbara) Francis, Loren (Luva) Francis, Sara Carlock, Lauralee (Robert) Hatch, Leon (Clairlyn) Francis, Elizabeth Peterson, Rosanna Francis, Marianne (Doug) Mabey, and Timothy (Wendy) Francis, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and other extended family.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, Cardston, Alberta on Tuesday, May 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
Friends may meet the family from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to the service, with Bishop Burke Nish officiating.
She was very active in school and church musical activities studying piano, flute and singing, as well as participating in the annual Kiwanis Music Festivals. One highlight for her was her role as Buttercup in the junior high school production of HMS Pinafore. While in high school, she was also a member of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and Lethbridge Musical Theatre. In 1967, she moved to Logan, Utah where she completed high school and enrolled in Utah State University, majoring in music.
1969 took her to Colombia, South America, where she taught the children of Canadian and American families who were there for development work contracts. On return to the USA, she enrolled at Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in flute performance. In 1975 she was called to serve an 18 month LDS mission in Spain.
In 1978 she enrolled at U of A in Edmonton where she obtained a master’s degree specializing in vocal performance. She then journeyed to Germany where she undertook advanced opera study, including major roles in Don Giovanni and Eugene Onegin. She returned to Raymond, Alberta where she was actively involved in local church and community musical productions.
In the mid 1980’s, Mardene returned to the USA where she renewed her teaching certificate at Weber State University. She taught in schools in Snowflake and Heber, Arizona and Toele, Utah for several years before deciding to further her education. From 1993-1996 she undertook doctoral studies in vocal performance at Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1996 she moved to Idaho where she taught school in Payette and later in Ontario, Oregon.
Declining physical health forced her to give up conducting choirs and musicals.
She returned to Canada in 2006 and became her mother Edith’s primary caretaker. She remained in Calgary until 2018 and then moved to Cardston to be closer to her beloved Waterton Park, as well as the LDS temple and family. She continued to make good friends, and gingerbread houses.
Serious health issues resulted in hospitalization in Cardston. She died on May 13 2023.
Mardene is survived by her siblings Bryan (Barbara) Francis, Loren (Luva) Francis, Sara Carlock, Lauralee (Robert) Hatch, Leon (Clairlyn) Francis, Elizabeth Peterson, Rosanna Francis, Marianne (Doug) Mabey, and Timothy (Wendy) Francis, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and other extended family.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, Cardston, Alberta on Tuesday, May 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
Friends may meet the family from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to the service, with Bishop Burke Nish officiating.