Marie Josie Francis

Marie Josie Francis was born in Satanta, Kansas to Arthur Garfield Cook and Bessie Ellen Alexander. Marie traveled the world with her late husband, John Francis, living in England and Korea. She also traveled and lived across our beautiful United States of America. Marie attended Anderson College in Indiana, Utah State University and Highline College in Washington State where she graduated with her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.

Over the years Marie held many jobs and volunteer positions; she worked as a teacher, telephone operator in Kansas and New York, book keeper and a choir director in New Mexico, Kansas and Washington State. Marie was a foster parent for seven years and worked as a Travelers Aide in Washington State. Marie was proud of her accomplishments as an English as a second language teacher. She even earned a "Volunteer of the Year Award" for her work. Marie experienced great joy from her friendships and experiences with all of her students from various countries. Many students became lifelong friends.

Marie fell in love with Washington State and it's natural beauty, she often called it, "God's Country." She enjoyed the ocean, mountains and camping with a good book. Marie was spoiled with listening to the birds and watching the ships pass by on Puget Sound looking out her kitchen window for 43 years.

Marie was an avid gardener and an excellent cook. She made us eat 3 bites of everything on our plate, even if we didn't like it!

Marie was a wonderful Mother and will be greatly missed by her daughters; Ann Wilkinson, Mary Jo McHenry (Brad) and Linda McGillis (Kevin), her children; John Mark Francis, Dana Francis, and Kim Amrine, her 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, her sister Emma Carroll and sister in law Virginia Cook.