Helen Pribble Francis

February 2, 1925 – January 3, 2017

Helen Francis, age 91, died peacefully in her apartment at Auburn Ravine Terrace in Auburn, California, on January 3, 2017. Born in Sacramento, she was predeceased by her husband Bill, her brother Mil Pribble, and her parents Fred and Goldie Pribble.

Helen is survived by her children Carol Francis of Applegate, Joe Francis (Coni) of Centennial, Colorado, Tom Francis of Rocklin, and Jane Francis of Sacramento. She has five grandchildren, Jeremy Francis (Andrea), Tyler Francis (Jacquie), Margaret Francis, Allyce (Greg) Botello, and Tony Moreno. She has five great-grandchildren, Gabriella Moreno, Alex, Leighton, Adeline, and Emilia Francis. She is survived by god-grandchildren Faith and Grace Davenport, many nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Sarah Pribble of Palo Alto.

Helen graduated as valedictorian of her class from Sacramento High. She graduated from University of California at Berkeley with cum laude honors. Here she met William O. (“Bill”) Francis. They married in 1947 and moved to his hometown of Auburn, California.

Helen stayed home to raise a family of four children. She was involved in Parent Teacher Association work, the Mt. Vernon 4-H Club, and the First Congregational Church. After her children entered school, she worked for twenty-three years as a teacher at Placer Hills Elementary School in Meadow Vista. She was a long-term member of Delta Kappa Gamma and a charter member of the Auburn Branch of American Association of University Women.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the First Congregational Church, UCC, 710 Auburn Ravine Road, Auburn, California. Donations (tax-deductible) in her memory may be made to Auburn Branch AAUW Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 7872, Auburn, CA 95604. The scholarships support women and girls going to college.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.