Shirley Francis Nielsen

Our loving mother, Shirley Francis Nielsen passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday morning April 3rd, 2017 at her home in Salt Lake City of natural causes. She was 95 years old at the time of her death. Shirley was born in Morgan, Utah on December 11th, 1921 to Gilbert Francis and Mabel Smuin Francis

She was raised in Morgan, Utah and graduated from Morgan High School, attended BYU and USU and later earned a Master’s degree at the University of Utah in education. Shirley taught in the public school system; English, debate and drama. She found great joy in directing school musicals and church roadshows. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Lady Lions Club as well as other civic, social and professional groups throughout her life. She loved to travel and she found great joy in the arts, attending musicals, plays, and symphony with friends and family. She was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She loved her missionary service on Temple Square.

She married her high school sweet heart, Reed Sommers Nielsen in the Salt Lake Temple. They had five wonderful children. After Reed’s death in 1974, she left the public school system and moved to Salt Lake City where she founded with her daughter, Jeanne and son Scott the Tender Touch Children’s Learning Centers.

She is survived by her five children; Scott (Chris) Nielsen, Jeanne (Bill) Emmer, Tammy (Bary/ deceased) Judkins, Stan (Susi) Nielsen, and Lisa Ann (Lee/ deceased) Thompson. At the time of her death she had 9 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and her beloved sister Melba Brimley survive her. Her eternal companion Reed S. Nielsen, both parents and two brothers, Bert Francis M.D. and Grant Francis, preceded her in death.

A viewing in her honor will be held Friday April 7th from 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. at Wasatch Memorial Park located at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. Funeral services will be held on April 8th at 11:00a.m. with a viewing from 10:00-10:45a.m. at the Valley View 1st Ward located at 20th East and 3820 South.

Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery, Morgan, Utah at approximately 3:00 P.M.