Marilyn DeuPree Felland

Age 93

September 27, 1971

- February 28, 2024

Francesca Applegarth, a beacon of wit and insight to her family and many friends, died peacefully at her home in Kentfield on the night of Wednesday, February 28, following a long battle with Lupus and related diseases that she fought with unwavering courage.

She was 52.

Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1971, Francesca grew up in Milan, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. She studied at University High School and Sarah Lawrence College before graduating with honors from the University of California, Berkeley.

Francesca met her future husband, Gregory Maxwell Applegarth, in 1989, when he caught a brief glance of her driving her Volkswagen down Washington Street in San Francisco and chased after her on his motorcycle. They were married in 1995.

Known for her candor, Francesca recalled as a teenager that she had learned in elementary school “not to be shy, and to speak my mind, which is something I have done ever since.” Her wisdom and compassion made her the go-to figure for advice among her family members and countless friends.

She and Max co-founded the popular coffee house Caffe Centro in South Park, San Francisco in 1992. Francesca served on the board of the Swig Company and the UCSF Russell-Engelman Rheumatology Research Foundation and was a founding contributor in the development of the UCSF Brachial Neuritis Center.

Francesca is survived by her husband, Max; her children, Aidan Alexander and Annabelle Grace Applegarth; her mother, Carolyn Zecca Ferris, father, Roberto Zecca, and stepfather, Timothy Ferris; her brothers, Alex Zecca (Fiona) and Patrick Ferris; Michela and Diego Zecca; and Max’s eight siblings and the entire Applegarth family.

Services are to be held at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in San Francisco Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the UCSF Russell/Engelman Center, the UCSF Brachial Neuritis Center, and Hospice By The Bay.

Ross, CA

Marilyn Felland was born in South Pasadena, CA, on May 30, 1930. She peacefully passed away in her sleep on February 22, 2024 at the age of 93.

Marilyn lived in South Pasadena, Ross, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma. She married Claude Felland in 1952 and they had five children. In Ross, Marilyn’s parents, Lewis and Rhada DeuPree lived in a little cottage in the back garden, and Marilyn enjoyed watching her children make special memories with their grandparents.

In 1952 Marilyn graduated from Stanford University with a degree in journalism/political science. She and her husband Claude were painting contractors, and she served as President of the Marin County Chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America; the first woman president of the organization. Marilyn was editor of the Ross Valley Reporter in San Anselmo and wrote a syndicated column called “On and Off Drake Blvd.”

Marilyn was a great adventurer. She traveled to Machu Picchu, Russia, Norway, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, and Italy.

She loved weekend blackjack trips to Reno and attending 49er and Giants games. Marilyn also enjoyed the San Francisco Symphony and Beach Blanket Babylon. She liked her gin martinis with no olives because, she said, “olives take up good martini space.”

Active in civic life, Marilyn was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. She passionately researched the genealogy of the DeuPree and Felland families.

For her 80th birthday, Marilyn, her three daughters, cousin Phyllis, and friend Ceil flew to Las Vegas. She had more than 80 birthday cards to open! Highlights were a gondola ride at the Venetian and a fancy French dinner.

Marilyn is survived by four children, Mitchell, Gwen (m Fred-deceased), Ann (m Rick), and Jeff. Daughter Martha passed away in 2019. Marilyn had eight grandchildren: Terra Marie, Harley, Jackie, Jillian (deceased), Robert, Jill, Nick, and Andrew, and several great-grandchildren.

As we bid her farewell, Marilyn's spirit of adventure, friendship, and love for family and community forever will be a source of inspiration to us.

Instead of flowers, if you wish, please donate to Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 151200, San Rafael, California 94915-1200