Peacefully in her sleep and surrounded by love and prayer and with Neil Gamey; a close family friend holding her hand, Frances passed away on December 14 at 77 years of age at the Charleswood Care Centre where she had been since September. Fran had Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia and tested positive for Covid-19 on December 12.
Fran will be loved and forever remembered by her cousins Carla Rowlin Jacobs and her family in California, Maureen Marquardt and her family in Ontario, and Ron Rowlin and his family in Ontario. She will also be missed by the Banks, Bates, Cann, Gamey, McFarlane and Young families, all of whom she considered her extended family. She took great pride in all their accomplishments. She will be greatly missed by her beloved goddaughter Nicole Cann (Jan Svensson) and their son James, who was the apple of Fran’s eye. Although she was an only child, Fran loved children, many of whom thought of her as their grandmother.
Fran was predeceased by her parents Irene Smith Rowlin and Harry Rowlin.
Fran was born in Saskatchewan, chosen, and adopted as an infant, and lived the rest of her life in Winnipeg. She graduated from St. James Collegiate and the University of Winnipeg. She worked at Trans Air, Manitoba Hydro and the University of Manitoba. She was very musical and played the trumpet in the Independent Order of Foresters band in the Rose Bowl Parade in California one year, and for many summers she played Taps every night at Girl Guide Camp on Caddy Lake. Fran was a faithful member of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church for over fifty years singing in the choir for most of them. She was a member of the Centering Prayer Group and participated in Bible study. Her faith in our Lord was unwavering and we are comforted knowing that she is in his everlasting arms.
The family would like to thank Neil for his exceptional care of Fran. We are comforted in knowing that you put your nursing skills to good use especially in her last weeks.
Cremation has taken place and she will be interred in Brookside Cemetery with her Mother in a private burial for her family at a later date.
Her Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Margaret’s in the summer of 2021 when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St. Margaret’s Anglican Church,160 Ethelbert St, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1V7, Parkinson Canada, 414 Westmount Dr #7, Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2 or a charity of one’s choice.