Franziska Schawalder Garrett
October 22, 1954 - October 17, 2025
Franziska Schawalder was born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, in a small apartment on Monbijoustrasse within a few blocks of the Capitol building. The middle daughter of three, her Mother always called her “Das Gluckskind”, The Happy Child.
Her older sister Kathrin once told me that she would run home after school as she was so excited to do her homework. She excelled in school and went on to advanced High School Gymnasium Kirchenfeld to earn the Matura. It was here where she met her lifelong friend Madeleine Blanchard. They went on to study Medicine at Universität Bern, graduating in 1979.
She and husband James moved to the United States settling in Utah in 1981. After completing her Residency at LDS Hospital, Franziska became board certified in Internal Medicine. Almost imediately she was recruited by IHC to work in their new urgent care clinics (Instacare) where she was employed from 1984-2022 (when she was diagnosed with cancer). In between, they climbed, skied, and traveled world wide living a lovely life of adventure. She always remained extremely close and loved her Swiss and American families of sisters, (great) nieces, (great) nephews, in-laws and numerous friends especially those in the Kandertal of the Bernese Oberland.
By all standards she lived a full and amazing life.
A celebration of life will be held for Franziska on Saturday, November 1st from 4-6 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to The Fistula Foundation or Cureblindness Project.
D’Franziska Schawalder isch in Bärn uf d’Wäut cho u ufgwachsä, ire chlinä Wohnig a dr Monbijouschtrass, nid wiet wäg vom Bundes-huus. Si isch di mittleri Tochter vo drü Meitschi gsi u ihres Mami het se «z’Glücksching» genennt.
Ihri euteri Schwöschter, Kathrin, het mir mau verzehut, dass d’Franziska nach dr Schueu immer grad isch heigrennt, wöu si so ufgregt isch gsi, ihri Huusufgabä z’ machä. Si isch ä sehr gueti Schülerin gsi und het im Gymer Chirchäfäud ihri Matur gmacht.
Dert het si o ihri langjährigi Fründin Madeleine kenneglert. Zämä hei si ar Uni Bärn Medizin studiert und im Jahr 1979 ihres Studium abgschlossä. Aschliessend si d’Franziska u ihre Maa dr James id USA zogä u hei sech 1981 in Utah niedergla.
Nach ihrer Facharztusbiudig am LDS Hospital isch si aus Fachärztin Dr. med. für Inneri Medizin zertifiziert wordä. Gli druf abä isch si vo dr IHC agschteut wordä, wo si ab 1984 bis 2022 ir nölie Notfauklinik «Instacare» gschaffet het – bis zur Diagnose vo ihrer Chrankheit.
Drzwüsche hei d Franziska u dr James nid numä gschaffet, son- dern o gchlätteret, viu Schii gfahre, di ganzi Wäut bereist u es erfüllts u abentürriechs Läbä gfüehrt. Si isch immer ganz fescht mir ihrer schwiizer und amerikanische Familiä verbunde gsi u blibe – mit ihrne Schwöschterä, Nichte, Neffa – denä ihrne Ching – witerä Aghörige u dä unzählige Fründe – ganz bsunders mit denä vom Kandertal im Bärner Oberland.
Si het bis zum Schluss es sinnhafts u «eimaligs» Läbä vouer Liebi gläbt.
Drum bitte mir, statt Bluemä zschänkä, öppis ad Fistula
Foundation oder the Cureblindness Project z’schpändä.
In Loving Memory
I am so very sorry for the loss of this most beautiful woman. I don’t think she ever met a person who didn’t just love her. She was always smiling, always the most compassionate person. She was never judgmental. She accepted everyone and made everyone feel like a friend. I’m so grateful I was able to work with her for so many years at the Instacare. My heart is sad. My prayers and condolences go out to her family and friends.
Franziska was kind, fun, accomplished and caring. When she talked to me, she gave me the feeling that there was nothing else she would rather be doing. She gave her full attention and always made me feel as if I was special to her. I will miss her so much.
An amazing caring, loving friend and physician I have never known such a caring human being whether you or her friend her coworker or her patient I will miss you
Franziska was one of those rare people whose warmth and strength touched everyone around her. The world feels a little quieter without her, but her kindness, courage, and light stay with all of us who were lucky enough to know her.
Franziska was a part of my life since I was probably 2 years old. She was one of the most incredible human beings I have ever known, and I was honored to call her my friend. She and my mom Lynn Dixon were like sisters. She was so kind, loving, and generous to everyone. She made this world a better place. She will greatly be missed.
It is impossible to put into words how much I love and will miss Franzi. From the moment we met in 1989, we became fast friends and shared many adventures together: traveling, camping, climbing, MetOpera, Ballet West, theatre, concerts, dinner parties, holidays, working together at Instacare and on the Deer Valley doctor’s ski patrol, Pig Knit, the list goes on. I could never keep up with her back-country skiing or hiking. She was like a hummingbird, zooming around so fast, it was no wonder she was so slim despite her voracious appetite. She loved to cook and do many other physical activities: yoga, biking, kayaking, and she treasured the beach and the ocean as well as the mountains. A favorite holiday tradition was singing Christmas carols and celebrating or relaxing in her beautiful home. She had an amazing green thumb, both working in her cherished yard and inside for orchids and Amaryllis. She had such a zest for life and wanted to be here longer for her beloved James. When any tough times arose, you could count on her to have your back. Franzi had so many friends, but there was always room in her heart for one more. She was generous, energetic, kind, enthusiastic, artful, dedicated, talented in all her endeavors, fierce beyond her diminutive size, and beloved by many. Her spirit will live on in our hearts forever.
The light in the world is dimmer with Franziska’s passing. One of my favorite things about working in the InstaCares was getting to know her. She always had that cute little smile that communicated love for life and its adventures, others ,and acceptance for all. She was always positive and affirming professionally and personally. I never heard her say anything bad about anyone. Patients would always rave about that cute little Swiss doctor and all of us as her colleagues felt the same.
Thinking of Franziska and her whole family today. I love my memories of talking with her and skiing with her. James, I am sending all my support today in this great loss. I know all of her friends feel sadness.
This just broke my heart. I worked with Franziska for several years at Instacare. All of the docs were wonderful to this bonkers ER doc. I loved her precision, kindness, and compassion without judgement. She had me over to her place and got to see the beloved climbing/outdoor gear room. She taught me crazy stuff like mixing wine with sparkling water. She could hold a 5 minute plank, and I think of her every day when I work out. She was a huge inspiration for fitness when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and now I too can hold a 5 minute plank. She was tiny but so strong. A gorgeous beautiful human being. I am incredibly sorry for your loss.
Francisca left an impact on people. She was unfailingly kind, a little impish and there was simply a light about her. Be well my friend
In Loving Memory
