(my paternal grandmother; from the Windsor Star, May 20, 1926)

Mrs Francis Death Victim

Leading Musician of Border Passes After Long Illness

Was Organist and Choir Director of All Saints' Church

After an illness extending since last autumn, Mrs. Annie Marlatt Francis, one of the leading musicians and choir directors of the Border Cities [Windsor and Detroit], died Wednesday afternoon at her residence, 37 Josephine Avenue [Windsor].

Mrs. Francis for the past 16 years has been a conspicuous figure in local musical circles. For the past seven years, she acted as organist and choir director of All Saints' Anglican Church, during that time bringing the choir to the standing of one of the leading church choral organizations in the Border Cities. Previous to her connection with All Saints', she directed the choir of the former Bruce Avenue Baptist Church, thereby gaining her first local prominence.

Her husband, Milton A. Francis, is a noted tenor and vocal teacher, and together they achieved much prominence in concert work. Mr. Francis, although connected as soloist with a Detroit church, on many occasions appeared as assisting soloist with his wife's choir when she presented oratorios on religious festival occasions. It was largely through this work that her fame was achieved, overflow crowds being assured whenever the oratorio works of the great composers were presented under her direction.

Born 46 years ago [1881] at Yarmouth Centre, Ont. [now part of St. Thomas], Mrs. Francis began her musical education as a child. She studied both organ and violin under various teachers, and at an early age graduated with the degree of licentiate from the Toronto Conservatory of Music.

Among her early engagements were the directorships of the Disciple and Centre Street Baptist Churches, St. Thomas. Sixteen years ago, she came to the Border Cities, and immediately established her reputation both as a musician and as a director. As an accompanist, she was always greatly in demand, and found time from a busy household career to give freely of her services to many deserving causes.

A serious illness [breast cancer] developed last autumn, and she was removed to Grace Hospital, where she underwent treatment for many weeks. Apparently on a slow road to recovery, she was removed to her home recently, but a relapse set in Sunday and she succumbed.

Surviving are her husband, one daughter and five sons, Phyllis Muriel, Frederick M., William M., Stewart E., James Earl [my father, age 6 at the time] and Milton A., Jr.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. from All Saints' Church. Ven. Archdeacon Jones-Bateman will officiate, assisted by Rev. Canon G.C. Hill. Music will be furnished by the full choir over which she presided with such distinction, in full vestments. Burial will be in Windsor Grove Cemetery.