FRANCES MAE WALLEY (OWENS) -

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FRANCES MAE WALLEY (nee OWENS) 1928 - 2008 Fran passed away peacefully on the morning of May 21, 2008. She spent a happy childhood at Starbuck, Manitoba, through to her graduation from grade 12, after which she spent a year as a permit teacher in Treherne, Manitoba. She attended Normal School the following year where she met her future husband Colin Walley. Fran taught at Cross Lake and The Pas, spending a year in each community. She was a graduate of the Metropolitan School of Nursing, Windsor, Ontario, where she formed lasting friendships with women from across Canada, and received an award for compassionate care. Fran was married in 1953, after which she devoted her attention to raising a family. She professed to being happiest at the births of her children, and counted the loss of daughter Lee Anne as her deepest sorrow. Fran was also foster mother to Margaret, Doreen and Barbara while they received medical care in Winnipeg. She recalled summers spent at the cottage' with children and grandchildren as truly idyllic. Fran was a member of, and served as president of, the University of Manitoba Women's Association. She was also a member of the Faculty of Education Bridge Club. The fall meetings of the Bridge club at Victoria Beach were always special events. She travelled extensively, visiting friends and extended family across Canada and into the United States and enjoying every opportunity to babysit her grandchildren. Her international travel included most notably a six month stay in Hawaii, residing in Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival season, and participating in an archaeological survey in Greece. Fran was predeceased by her much beloved daughter Lee Anne Walley, parents Frank and Velette Owens, and brother Bob Owens. She is survived by Colin Walley, her husband of 55 years, and her children and their families: daughter Norma Hall, grandchildren Amelia and Clifford and their father Floyd Hall; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Pat Walley and grandchildren Ryan, Rebecca, Meghan, Wendi and great-granddaughter Trish; son David Walley; daughter Frances Walley, grandchildren James and Ian and their father Garry Hnatowich; sister Vivian Patterson and her children Lisa Pearce and Rich Patterson and their families; sister-in-law Claudia Owens and her children Daryl, Dale, Lauren Owens and Kerry McLuskey and their families. Thanks are extended on Fran's behalf for the many expressions of love and concern from relatives and friends; to the staff of CCU and 5A Cardiology, St. Boniface Hospital for their compassionate care; and to the Riverview Health Centre, 3 East, RN Dorothy. The funeral service will take place on Monday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m., the United Church, Starbuck, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be sent in Fran's name to support research by the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, mailing address: CE 501 - 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg MB, R3A 1S1; or through the website at: http://www.goodbear.mb.ca/tribute gifts.aspx Thomson Funeral Home, 783-7211.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2008