Marian Gauthier France, 96, of Cheboygan, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Hospice House in Cheboygan.

A lifelong resident of Cheboygan, Marian was born August 7, 1916 in Cheboygan, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (St. Eloi) Rand. On December 27, 1941 at St. Mary’s Parish in Alpena, she married Edward Gauthier, who preceded her in death. She later married Bill France, who survives. She was a 1935 graduate of Cheboygan High School, and later graduated from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids. She was employed as a registered nurse and worked for Dr. Burns at Little Traverse Hospital in Petoskey, and later for the Community Memorial Hospital and Health Department, retiring in 1977. She also worked private duty, and for the co-op program at Cheboygan Public Schools. She was a talented artist and musician, and played the piano and organ at St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s, and was a member of St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church, and the Daughters of Isabella.

In addition to her husband, Bill, and his family, she is survived by six sons, Bruce(Rosemary) Gauthier of Cheboygan, Dan(Phyllis) Gauthier of Harbor Springs, Mark(Debbie) Gauthier of Tecumseh, Adrian(Frances) Gauthier of Cheboygan, Roger (Susan) Gauthier, also of Cheboygan, and Gary(Anne-Marie) Gauthier of St. Clair, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her 1st husband, Edward, a daughter, Mary Gauthier-Hurd, a son, Joseph, and a sister, Dorothy Galbraith.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 2-4pm, and 6-8pm, with a rosary beginning at 7pm, led by the Daughter’s of Isabella’s at the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11am, with visitation beginning at 10am, at St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church. Rev. Joe Ortega will officiate, burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the spring.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Straits.

Online condolences may be made at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.