Norene Hull Francis

March 22nd, 1940 – November 3rd, 2025

Our beloved mother, Norene Ladora Hull Francis, 85, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, at Ogden Regional Medical Center, surrounded by loved ones. Norene was the oldest of six children born to Fay and Verla Hull on March 22, 1940, in Ogden, Utah.

Growing up in Riverdale, music was truly the heartbeat of the Hull family. Norene was a gifted singer and musician who regularly performed with her siblings in their family band. Most Friday and Saturday nights found the Hull Family Band playing for dances, weddings, and community events. In 1958, Norene received the honor of becoming the first Miss Teenage America, an award sponsored by the Peter Pan Foundation to recognize a wholesome teenager who demonstrated exceptional leadership and religious and community service. With this distinction came a trip to New York City, where she received the award from Tony Perkins on The Steve Allen Show. Later that year, she was voted Miss Weber High by her classmates. Norene was known for her kindness, her goodness, and her remarkable ability to connect with people. Everyone was a friend of Norene's.

Norene met the love of her life, Gary Mills Francis, at a church dance in 1957. They married on June 26, 1958, and were later blessed with two children: Brad (1960) and Diane (1962). Norene's family was the joy of her life.

Determined to continue her education, Norene returned to school and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Weber State College in 1972 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in English and minoring in History. That same year, she received the Weber State College Female Scholar of the Year Award, the Outstanding Academic English Student Award, and the Outstanding Academic Secondary Education Student Award.

Norene then began teaching at Bonneville High School, where she taught AP English, College Prep English, Creative Writing, and "People English"—a course designed to re-engage students who had felt disconnected from traditional high school programs. She also served as Senior Class Advisor and Sterling Scholar Advisor. In 1976–77, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year and became known for having the highest number of students pass the AP English exam in the state of Utah.

In 1979, Norene earned her Master's in Educational Counseling from the University of Utah, again graduating Magna Cum Laude. She spent four years as a counselor at Weber High School and another four at Bonneville before becoming the Student Services Coordinator for the Weber School District. In this role, she led groups for students coping with divorce, separation, alcohol dependency, and grief. She initiated the Center for Grieving Children and developed the Options Program for at-risk students. In 1986, she was named Child Advocate of the Year. Throughout her career, Norene dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her students, offering guidance, compassion, and unwavering support.

Norene took an early retirement in 1994 so she and Gary could enjoy life together—and enjoy it they did. For 30 wonderful years, they traveled the world, visited family often, and continued their lifelong love of dancing. Mom loved to joke about spending her children's inheritance on travel—spend away, Mom; we are so grateful you and Dad saw the world together!

They also shared a deep love of nature, spending countless days hiking mountain trails, exploring national parks, and reveling in the beauty of the outdoors. Gary's love of golf became one of their favorite pastimes as well—Dad perfecting his swing while Mom happily searched for stray golf balls, always with a smile and a sense of adventure.

Even in retirement, Norene continued serving others through the Children's Grieving Center, the American Cancer Society, and grief groups in local schools. She also embraced her hobbies with joy—creating embroidered gifts, crafting beautiful floral arrangements, and showering her grandchildren with weekly phone calls and regular visits.

Norene was the embodiment of love. To all who knew her, she was pure sunshine—helping others grow and blossom under her gentle warmth.

It was Mom's request that this newspaper clipping be included in her obituary:

"To friends and family: You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she lived. You can close your eyes and wish that she will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love she shared. You can feel empty, or you can do what she'd want: open your eyes, smile, love, and go on." — Author Unknown

She also asked that these words of St. Francis of Assisi be included, words she tried to live by each day:

"Lord, make us an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Norene is survived by her son, Brad (Deanna Ramirez) Francis; her daughter, Diane (Robert) Tanner; and eight grandchildren: Trey (Lindsay) Darnell, Maryanne (Christian) Christensen, (Brad's children); and Matt (Jessica) Tanner, Melissa (Jacob) Dance, Jordan (Camryn) Tanner, Brandon Tanner, Jessica (McKay) Sanders, and Carson (Ellie) Tanner (Diane's children), and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary, her grandson, Austin Francis, her parents, Fay and Verla Hull, and her three brothers, Dennis, Cordell and Jarrell Fay.

Norene was a devoted wife, mother, and advocate for children. We will forever love her and cherish the memories of our angel mother!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your charity of choice.

Funeral Service and Celebration of Life

Saturday, December 6th, 2025

Leavitt's Mortuary: 836 36th Street; Ogden, Utah 84403

Join the family in wearing bright colors in honor of Norene.

Family greeting friends and family: 9:45-10:45 am

Funeral Service: 11:00 am

Luncheon: 12:15 – 1:30 pm (All are invited to attend.)

Dedication of the Grave: 2:00 PM, South Morgan Cemetery