Frances Joan Brown

Frances was born in Toronto but grew up in Woodstock Ontario spending her summers with family on the Severn River, instilling a lifelong love for nature, for dogs and for the serenity of water.

Frances became a nurse, later acquiring her MA of nursing, a career that took her across Canada from Calgary to Regina and back to Sick Kids in Toronto. Her calling was to Neonatal Care, practising as a Neonatal ICU nurse for the majority of her career.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Frances. Fran loved travel and equally enjoyed her time at home, finding pleasure in making and enjoying food – her baking and preserves were gifts anticipated and enjoyed by all. Frances was still making preserves successfully and sharing them widely to welcoming recipients, until a few months before she needed to move to a care setting to have support for her early onset dementia.

Fran loved spending her vacations visiting friends across the country, going for hikes in the mountains or joining friends and their kids on camping holidays. Throughout her life Frances enjoyed music as a listener but also playing and singing whenever she could. Fran loved nature and found beauty in the changing season, the lengthening of the days and long walks anywhere with trees, mountains or water nearby made even better if there was a dog by her side. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her life despite not always having the easiest path. She was joyful in the happiness of others – well known by family and friends for her gift giving. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met.

Frances moved into care during COVID but braved the change and isolation with her fierce determination. Frances sometimes had to be separated for meals because she insisted on helping other residents in care and that was a risky business during COVID. Frances lost the ability to speak early into her disease but for many months retained the phrase “I love you” to express her thanks, and her love to all around her.

Our deepest gratitude to the extraordinary team at Chester Village for their caring and compassion. The majority of Frances’ time in care was during COVID and the Chester village team was remarkable in how they managed to provide safe, kind and dedicated care. Tremendous thanks to the Diamond team, too numerous to mention everyone but a particular thanks to Dolma, Grace, Samantha, Memory and Lisa for their tender care and kindness especially so in her final days.

We are also deeply grateful to Belinda Drok for her devotion and care of Frances over the last few years. Her compassion and affection for Frances, her ability to laugh with Fran and provide her as much joy as possible were a highlight for Fran and greatly appreciated by her family.

Frances was predeceased by her parents Donald Morton (1963) and Barbara Frances Beith (1989). Fran will be forever remembered by her sister Catherine and her partner Donald Embree.

A private remembrance for Frances will take place in the coming weeks. donations can be made in her name to Baycrest Brain Research Fund.