FRANCES ANN OLAFSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FRANCES ANN OLAFSON On the morning of Sunday, September 10, 2006, surrounded by love, laughter and flowers, Frances Ann Olafson passed away with her daughter Kristina and son-in-law Marc at her side. Born in small town Saskatchewan and raised in rural Manitoba, Frances was adventurous and would travel to countries as far away as Germany, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa. Though she eventually returned to Winnipeg where she worked as an occupational therapist, she often spoke of her time spent studying at the University of Toronto, working in Montréal, and living abroad in Bermuda and Jamaica. Later in her life, Frances became a regular theatre devotee and passionate volunteer for the arts lending her time to organizations such as the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. She dearly loved meeting and talking with people; she always had a story, a joke, advice or an opinion at the ready for friends new and old. She had an eye for photography and a true talent for writing. Her unique perspective coloured Frances's art and her life: upon returning from Botswana, where she had been on safari with a childhood friend, Frances declared that it had been warthogs and not, in fact, the elephants that had captured her heart and imagination. Frances Ann is survived by a large and loving family scattered across the country and a network of treasured friends that stretches even further. She will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances Ann's name to the Canadian Cancer Society, or to the Palliative Care Unit at Elizabeth Bruyère Health Centre in Ottawa are welcome. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2006