Frances was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a wife, a mother, a sister-in-law, a daughter-in-law, an aunt, a mother-in-law, a grandmother, a friend, a kind and caring person, and an inspiration of courage and strength to all.
Frances will be missed by many people.

“Francesca” (Frances) was born in Caramurat, Romania to Benjamin & Angela Miller on November 8th 1928, the eldest of 3 children.
She moved to Canada with her parents in 1930 and grew up in Estevan, Saskatchewan on a farm.  Her sister, Elizabeth (Betty), then brother Joseph (Joe) were born while in Saskatchewan. In 1939, the family moved west to Richmond, B.C, where they lived on a farm. In 1948 they moved to Vancouver, living first on Cypress Street, then on the 1900 block of West 8th Avenue. They attended St. Augustine’s Parish.

Frances worked as a waitress at the Sunset Cafe in Marpole at a young age. She later attended Pitman Business College to take a course in office work.  She found work at the Pacific Meat Company as a bookkeeper and machine operator.  She worked at Pacific Meats until about a year after she married.

Frances met her husband-to-be, John, at the Alpen Club in Vancouver.  They were married Feb 12th 1955 at St. Augustine’s church and had the reception at the Alpen Club. This year (2010) marked 55 years together.

Life was soon busy when first child Maria was born in March of 1956, and then 5 more children to follow within the next 8 years (John, Katherine, Charles, Linda and Mark)! She was also “Aunt Fran” to 14 nieces and nephews, and then finally “Grandma” to 11 grandchildren: Derek, Devon, Ciaran, Calena, Amber, Brandon, Stephanie, Michael, Lee, Kevin and Steven.

Frances loved to read, watch her favorite programs on television, have friends over for luncheons, and bowl.  Frances joined the Queen Mary Bowling League many years ago, and up to 3 years ago bowled twice a week.  She was the “spare captain” and helped to organize the social functions. She was a good bowler, sometimes earning the coveted “turkey” standing.

Frances was diagnosed with kidney disease in the 1980’s and required a short term of dialysis before she received her transplant in 1988.  We didn’t know at the time that the transplant would last a long 20 years, but it did. Medical complications happened along the way in those 20 years, but each time, Mom came out fighting.  Her physicians commented she had more lives than a cat!! Her strength and courage is an inspiration to all of us.

Sadly, over the past 3 years medical complications happened too frequently. Frances suffered repeated blood & other infections, a broken hip, and multiple strokes, one of which caused loss of much of her vision and thus her ability to read and to watch television. Frances was eventually confined to a wheelchair as well. Her transplant eventually failed, and dialysis was again necessary.  Her health continued to fail, and though she always tried her best to get stronger (she had tremendous inner strength and hope) she lost her battle.  Frances spent her last few months at home under the exceptional care of her devoted husband who made sure her dignity and quality of life were respected.  Her caregiver, Linda, came to the house faithfully 7 days per week for the time Frances was at home, giving compassionate and professional care and companionship.

Frances’s strong Catholic faith helped her to cope with her challenges, and attending church was important to her.  She attended many Sunday masses in the chapels of hospitals over the past 3 years, and at times when she could leave hospital, was wheeled to her parish by husband, John.

Thank you to all those who have visited and given support to Frances, especially over the last 3 years of illness. The family sends thanks to friends who supported Frances, to the nurses and physicians at the dialysis unit @ VGH (and to the many other VGH staff involved in her care), to Linda (her caregiver), to Michael who arranged the home caregiver, to Nelli our pharmacist, and to Dr. Wilson and Dr. Hansen and all the nursing staff at Raven Song Community Health Unit.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frances’s name to the Kidney Foundation @ http://www.kidney.ca/

Prayer and funeral services will be held @ Holy Family Parish, 4851 Beatrice Street, Vancouver, B.C.:
Prayers: Sunday May 30th, 2010, @ 7:00 p.m.
Funeral service: Monday May 31st. 2010 @ 10:00 a.m.