FRANCES G. ARNOTT (CRANWELL)

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FRANCES G. ARNOTT (nee CRANWELL) November 15, 1922 - December 8, 2010 The family of Frances Arnott wishes to inform friends that Mom peacefully passed away on December 8, 2010 at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg. Mom was predeceased by her brother, Charles (Chuck) Cranwell and her beloved husband of 55 years, Bruce. She is survived by her elder sister, Beatrice Haines, sisters-in-law Maryanne Cranwell and Patricia Robert, daughter Dianne (Peter) and son David (Ione), her grandchildren Rebecca (Brian), David, John (Keri), Charlie, and her adored great-grandson, Jack. Born in Tummel, Manitoba on November 15, 1922 to Henry and Nellie Cranwell, Mom fondly related stories of her idyllic youth in Roblin. It was there that she and Dad first met and married after high school. They began married life in Winnipeg, but soon moved home to Roblin, where Dad eventually became the first manager of the Roblin Co-op. His promotion resulted in the family moving to Brandon in 1950, where Mom first realized her natural talents as an accountant at Laird, Sprague and Co. When the family moved to Winnipeg in 1955, she had a letter of reference to the law offices of Newman, MacLean and Co., a position she held with pride and dedication for many years. When that company dissolved, she completed her professional career with Pitblado, Hoskins and Associates. When Dad showed the first signs of Alzheimer's, Mom retired from her career to care for him until his death in 1997. Our family was always closest to Mom's heart. Because Dad traveled so extensively for Federated Co-op, Mom's weekly life was organized around her two children. On Saturdays when the whole family was together, chores, baking and preparation for next week were always accompanied by CBC's Saturday at the Met supplemented by favourite LP's. Saturday night was rewarded by marathon bridge or canasta games. Sunday was dedicated to sleeping-in, reading, sumptuous dinners and hilariously bad concerts of salon music mauled by Dianne on the piano and Dad on the violin. Personally, Mom was a voracious reader, a passionate supporter of quality debate and documentary journalism, an inspired artist of tapestry and watercolours, and a fabulous chef. Cremation has taken place and there are no public funeral arrangements. Our family wishes to express our utmost thanks to the amazing medical team in Ward 6E, St. Boniface Hospital for making Mom's last days as painless and dignified as she could have wanted. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Bluma, Edith and the wonderful staff at Tchaikovsky House, Riverwood Square for your friendship and care over the past year.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2011