<div itemprop="description">Frances died on March 19, 2024 in Kirkland, Quebec in her 94th year. Loving wife of Harold, mother of Margaret (Chris) and Grandma to Devon. Predeceased by her husband and sisters Margaret, Mary and Elinor. <br> <br>Frances was born in Edmonton but spent her formative years in Winnipeg where she graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BA. She moved to Toronto in the early 1950s to get her teaching credentials. Freshly-minted as a teacher, Frances and a friend took a contract teaching at the Royal Canadian Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador, which was a grand adventure that she never forgot. She returned to Ontario and after a few years of working as a travelling educator for the Canadian Red Cross, she settled in as a teacher/librarian in Toronto. <br> <br>It was at a party in Toronto where Frances struck up a conversation with a man who had just been in a car accident and was wearing a knee brace. Coincidentally, she had just been in a car accident too and was sporting a neck brace. Thus, through the bond of medical support devices, did Frances meet Harold. They married on October 16, 1965 and set up house in Brockville where Harold was working. <br> <br>The job brought Harold to Montreal so he and Frances moved to suburban Beaconsfield in 1968 with baby Margaret in tow. Frances became active in the local chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women and in Beaurepaire United Church where she worked as the church secretary for many years. She and Harold took advantage of Montreal’s cultural offerings and often went “into town” to enjoy concerts, plays and shows. <br> <br>They downsized in 2011 and moved to the Cambridge Seniors’ Residence in Pointe Claire. Harold passed away only a few months later and Frances found a group of friends at the Cambridge who supported her through thick and thin. By now in her mid-80s, Frances took over the book club at the Cambridge. Already an avid reader, she organized the meetings, led the discussions and recommended further readings until life came to a halt because of the pandemic. <br> <br>At the onset of the pandemic, Frances learned how to use FaceTime on her iPad to have regular Friday night virtual dinners with Margaret’s family – a tradition that carried on well after the pandemic ended. In particular, Frances looked forward to her weekly chat with her grandson Devon. <br> <br>After the pandemic, Frances continued to enjoy her Monday afternoon bridge games, special themed meals in the dining room and holiday meals with friends. <br> <br>The family would like to say a special thank you to her close friends at the Cambridge for all the care and support they gave to her and her family, to her caregiver of many years, Jennifer Mironowicz, to Michelle Richard who went above and beyond and to the caring staff at the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence in Kirkland. A reception will be held at the Cambridge in a few weeks. As expressions of sympathy, donations to FINCA Canada or the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence would be appreciated.</div>
