Obituary of Frances "Fran" Elliott

Frances "Fran" Mary Elliott of Camrose passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the age of 90 years. A hole is left in our lives with the passing of our precious mother, grandmother and friend, Frances Elliott. We will all miss the balm of her abiding interest in us and in life, and the affection that she showered upon us. Frances grew up in Guelph, Ontario. As a student, she excelled academically, completing grade twelve by age 15, but for financial reasons she was unable to attend university. A young woman during World War II, Frances worked as a secretary for some time, eventually taking a job at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph as secretary to the Dean. It was at a dance that she met Red Elliott, a prairie boy and young navy veteran training to become a veterinarian. As their relationship blossomed, they nurtured a vision of establishing a family and a loving and supportive home life. They married the day after Red's graduation and she moved with him to Camrose to run a country large and small animal veterinary practice. Fran's office career stood her in good stead in the life she embraced in Camrose. While as the animal doctor Red was the central figure, she oversaw the veterinary office and did the bookkeeping for the business and for Red's farm interests and they were truly partners in all of their undertakings. Fran also took an active part in numerous church committees and extended her influence into the community where she was a charter member of the Camrose Children's Centre, the group that spearheaded the opening of the town's first day care. She was an elected member of the Camrose School Board for nine years, serving two terms as Chair; Jack Stuart School was built on her watch. The Camrose Business and Professional Women's Club named her 'Woman of the Year' in the early 1990s. Fran and Red were honored as 'Community Builders' by the Battle River Community Foundation in 2006 in recognition of all that they gave to their community. The Foundation established a Fund in their names at that time. With her warm generosity and genuine concern, Frances was a devoted friend, a loving matriarch and an inspiring role model. She was a pie-maker of renown and there was always room at her table for one or two more. She traveled to several places in the world, including India, England, Hawaii, Hong Kong, the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and when the world came to Camrose as high school students from Hong Kong, as friends from Hobbema (Maskwacis), and as refugees from Vietnam and Yugoslavia, she welcomed them all. Over the years Frances' family expanded to include a great number of people: children Anne (Mike), Rob (Debbie), John (Anne), Howard (Janet) and Eric (Cindy); grandchildren Elizabeth (Raymond), Mary, Patrick, Mark, Lisa, Graham, Maren, Oliver, Casey, Miles (Melissa) and Erin (Jade); great-grandchildren Nola, John and Zuzu; step-grandchildren Alita, Nathan, Michelle and Aura; step great-grandchild Aiden; plus brother Andrew, sister Elizabeth (Roy), brother-in-law Bob, nieces and nephews, and a host of 'adopted' kids and friends. Frances was pre-deceased by her beloved husband and soulmate Dr. Red Elliott, brothers Eric and Rob Hall and grandson Thomas Hudson. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Sunrise Village and Camrose Home Care who befriended and assisted Fran in the last year of her life, as well as her physician Dr. Ernie Hilderman and the staff of the Louise Jensen Centre. A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from the Camrose United Church (4829 50 Street, Camrose, AB) with Alan Richards and Mary Ann Pastuck officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Camrose Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Camrose United Church (4829 50 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1P6) or the Red & Fran Elliott Fund c/o the Battle River Community Foundation (Box 1122, Camrose, AB T4V 4E7).