Frances Deane Phillips

After a long and brave battle, Frances passed at the age of 77 years at Agassiz Seniors Community in Agassiz BC, with loving family at her bedside.

Frances was the daughter of William and Molly Hedley. Born in Taber, Alberta, she enjoyed a happy childhood between Taber and her grandparents’ family farm in Manyberries AB. After high school in Taber, and secretarial college in Lethbridge AB, she met and, within a year, married Chris.

Frances leaves behind her husband of 57 years; son Jason and daughter-in-law Debbie; daughter Sandra Meinen (Phillips) and son-in-law Ben; five grandchildren: Harrison, Marissa, Erika, Emilie, and Eryn; sisters Pat, Debbie, and Sheila; brother-in-law Tony; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

Frances was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved to cook and bake, first for her husband and children, and later also for her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She had a long and rewarding career, first as a legal and real estate secretary, and later as secretary-treasurer and director of her husband’s consulting firm. Her passion, however, remained her extended family and friends.

Frances was very artistic, and enjoyed watercolor painting, quilting, sewing for the kids’ parties and playtime, pottery, furniture restoration, wreath-making, various other crafts, and scrapbooking. She loved to garden, particularly enjoying irises and peonies. And she very much loved and took care of all the family cats we had over the years.

Frances and I enjoyed many years of travel, both with our children and by ourselves, whether it was a driving vacation, a fly-in destination, or a cruise. We were lucky to visit nine of our ten provinces, as well as many other places in North America and throughout the world.

I will miss her so much, but am so glad that she’s now found peace.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date. For those who choose, donations to the Fraser Valley Humane Society would be encouraged.