In Remembrance: Francesca Marcus ’80 Died on January 25 2017

It is with tremendously heavy hearts that we report the passing of our beloved classmate, Francesca Marcus, on January 25, 2017, following a courageous four-year battle with cancer. A loyal 'Hounie, Francesca charmed a wide circle of friends with her gracious manner, gentle sense of humor, and infectious smile. After Yale, Francesca studied nursing at Pace University and business at Claremont Graduate School and began doctoral work at Linda Loma University School of Public Health. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Christmas Eve in 2012. This began her epic battle with the disease.

Over the course of the past four years, Francesca endured numerous treatments and multiple surgeries as the disease went from periods of remission to periods of reappearance in new spots including her brain and spine. She believed life was worth fighting for and that is what she did, always with remarkable grace and courage. Francesca was a person of amazing resilience and stamina. She loved physical activity, especially biking. After she had sufficiently recovered from her first surgery, she got back on her bike resuming her "Century" (100-mile) bike rides then "Double Century" and even "Triple Century" rides—the latter becoming 316 miles in less than 24 hours (the extra 16 miles added on due to an incorrect turn at some point along the way). And yet she persisted.

Francesca loved music, art, and books. She spoke Italian, French, German, and Spanish. She made the most amazing biscotti. Most of all she loved her family and her friends. She was always creating opportunities for people to gather and enjoy good food and good conversation.

Francesca is survived by her three children, Matthew, Allan, and Megan; her mother, Fabrizia; and three siblings: Charles, Peter, and Claudia. Her Celebration of Life service was held on April 8 on Echo Mountain outside Los Angeles on what would have been her 59th birthday.  

—Submitted by her classmates.