Frances died Friday, August 11th, 2017. Her husband Eric and daughter Michelle were with her, each holding a hand. The moment of death, like the decline before it, was lived stoically, with acceptance, calmness, and no complaint. Frances was alert up until a few days prior, when her body began to shut down.


Born here in Ottawa in July 1950, she went to work right out of high school. Colleagues at the National Research Council encouraged her to go to university. She won her B Math at Waterloo, worked for the Feds for 20 years in computer sciences, scarcely a woman's world back then. She got her pilot's licence and had a motor bike for years. She found a companionable husband along the way.


She loved her children, Michelle and Cosmos, and was so proud of their accomplishments. Mother, wife, companion, cyclist, world traveller, skier, dancer, singer, theatre goer, Frances rejoiced in simple things like tea in the garden or lunch on a sidewalk cafe. Her spiritual quests took her many directions, from TM to Catholicism to Pathwork. She died comfortable and confident in a spiritual afterlife.


Per her request, there will be a small graveside service at Beechwood Cemetery; and a gathering to celebrate a life well lived, in the fall. Till then, hug somebody and tell them you love them.