Frances Katherine Cameron

July 17, 1928-September 14, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frances Cameron, formerly of Bulyea, SK. She was predeceased by her husband Donald Cameron; her parents Enos and Rose Derzaph and seven siblings. She is survived by her five boys, Robert (Verlyn), Earl (Joyce), Gerry (Leandra), Peter (Jean) and Kevin (Rhonda); her ten grandchildren, Dale (Bonnie), Doug (Lisa), Travis (Halen), Jennesa (Caz), Tayler (Kyle), Curtis, Stacey (Stephen), Reed (Aimee), Sarah and Leah (Corey); as well as her five great grandchildren Blayze, Devry, Bohdan, Levi, and Crue. She is also survived by her sisters Marie (Leo) and Lydia.

Frances was born in Medicine Hat, Alta. and raised in Fox Valley, SK . Frances moved to the Stoney Croft SD to teach school in 1952, where she met Donald. They were married April 18, 1953 at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina .They then farmed and raised their family near Bulyea.

Mom/Grandma was a lifelong caregiver for her children, father in law George Cameron, later on her husband Don’s aunts and her husband Don when he became ill. She never stopped looking after those close to her. When she lived at Queen Victoria Estates in Regina she continued to help those that needed a hand, right up to her passing. Her greatest pride was her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all those that helped Mom and especially all the caregivers in the last month. A special thank you to Father Rick for visiting mom and officiating at her interment. A private family service will take place at the Bulyea Cemetery.

Frances Katherine was born to Enos and Rose Derzaph on July 17, 1928. Frances was the third youngest in a family of ten. She had three brothers, Michael, Edward and John. She also had six sisters, Tillie, Eva, Anne, Lydia, Emma and Marie.

Once she left high school Frances joined her sister Anne at the Catholic Covenant, a preparatory school for women considering becoming a nun. The years following, she worked at various positions around the province, including switchboard operator in Tisdale, Singer sewing machines in Saskatoon, and her two favourite positions, which were nurse’s aid at the TB hospital at Fort San, and then caregiver at the TB hospital at Prince Albert. Those positions were good fits for her skills. Somewhere in the mix she quit a job and went to help her sister Lydia after child birth.

In 1952 Frances took on the position of teaching supervisor at the Stoney Croft school district. At the time she didn't know that would be her final stop. Right across the road from the school was the home of the Cameron family. Donald James Cameron and Frances Katherine Derzaph were married April 18, 1953. Five boys eventually blessed their family. George Cameron, Don's father, remained on the home farm, in another home on the property. He was a big help to Fran while the children were young and she considered him a big blessing in her life. Frances remained a devout Catholic her whole life and ensured the children were raised in the faith.

Once the boys starting taking part in hockey, curling and 4H, she did her part in volunteer activities like working the rink lunch counters and cheering on her boys. She always had hot chocolate ready for the boys when they returned from skating on the dugout at the farm.

Fran was a caregiver her whole life. In her working life and in her home life, she shared her care and love of people. She opened her heart and home to her daughters-in-law when they arrived and shared a lot of wisdom over the years. A couple of the “girls” shared a love of sewing with Fran and they enjoyed working on projects together.

Don and Fran farmed until 1989, and retired to the village of Bulyea. They remained there and enjoyed town life. Fran was required to put on her caregiver uniform again when her husband was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease. She took care of Don with a level of love and devotion rarely seen. Several years after Don’s death, Fran moved to the Queen Victoria Estates in Regina. She continued to provide a loving presence to her growing family and embraced the grandchildren’s spouses and eventually great-grandchildren with open arms and heart. She also continued to lend a hand to anyone who needed it at her new residence, providing care for one friend in particular.

As mentioned above, Fran was a devout Catholic and was overjoyed to have church services available at her building in Regina. She enjoyed a good religious discussion the way some people spoke about politics. She was always up to date with current events and remained an alert, quick minded person until she passed.

The passing of Frances Katherine Cameron has left a massive hole in the Cameron family but we will cherish her memory, her love and her lessons always. We were blessed to have her in our lives and she will undoubtedly continue to watch over us all.