Peacefully at the F.J.Davey Home on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the age of 90.
Beloved wife of the late Jack Howard Swann. Loving mother of John Elliott (Diane Edwards), and proud Grandma of Cameron, all of Calgary. Predeceased by her parents Francis Claude and Aileen Marjorie Elliott. Dear sister of Alan Elliott (Norma) of Echo Bay. Also survived by several nephews and cousins.
Frances attended Sault College Institute followed by a BA in science at Queen’s, to get her teaching certificate at Nipissing College/University. While there, she stayed in a boarding house with a lot of other young adults. The landlady introduced her to a "nice quiet young man" that had just started working for the Water Survey of Canada and tried to always arrange for them to sit at the same table for meals.That young man ended up being the love of her life, Jack.They married in 1958 and enjoyed 59 years of marriage until Jack’s death in 2017.
Frances taught elementary school in North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie but spent the greatest and most enjoyable part of her career at St. Joseph Island Central School. During that time she also got her B.Ed from Laurentian University. Her love of teaching there was from the incredible staff colleagues, and students she encountered at the island school. We have to say a special thank you to Mr. Paul Rowe, the principal for much of her time there. He set a special tone for teaching and learning that allowed staff and students to thrive. Mom retired from the island school in 1993.
Frances and Jack enjoyed building their cottage at Tenby Bay and trips throughout Canada in their early retirement. In 2000, they sold their house on the Island and moved back to Sault Ste. Marie. 2007 brought a new love and career into Frances’s life with the birth of her grandson Cameron and the role of Grandma. Frances endured the decline of Jack’s health from Lewy Body Dementia, with love and grace until his death in 2017. In her later years she endured the ravages of Alzheimer’s while in care at the F.J. Davey Home.
A private family interment will be held at the Grace United Church Cemetery at a future date.
The Swann family would like to thank the staff and doctors of the F.J. Davey Home for their love and care of Frances over the last few years. Family would greatly appreciate donations in Frances’ memory to be made to the F.J. Davey Home to provide them with more resources to care for the elderly in our community (payable by cheque or online).
Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East; 705-759-2522). Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com obituaries section to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.