FRANCES EILEEN GUNN

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FRANCES EILEEN GUNN Frances Eileen Gunn was born in Winnipeg in 1932. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Abbott, were active in many activities in the city and Fran grew up in this milieu. She started her education at Tuxedo School, then on to Riverbend and finally University of Manitoba, attaining a BSc in Dietetics. Her happy summers were spent at the family island at the Lake of the Woods, sailing, swimming and much more. In the winter her focus was on the ice at the Winnipeg Winter Club. She eventually became Canadian Figure Skating Dance Champion with her partner in 1953. She would have then gone to the World competitions in Davos, Switzerland, but a prior career commitment made it impossible. She might well have won gold! Fran kept up her skating activities and in due course became a world judge, in competitions in Vienna, Bratislava and many other cities. She retired from judging in the late 1970s, to some extent as a protest over the quality and rules of judging at the time. Fran's career as dietician took her to Minneapolis, Bermuda, Toronto and then back to Winnipeg where she was dietician at the Winnipeg General Hospital. Her time in Bermuda was particularly wonderful and she always wanted to return. Fran and John finally made this sentimental journey by cruise ship from New York and visited her old haunts, some of which have not changed one iota since her earlier days. It was another memorable trip. Fran was married in 1959 to John Gunn. After four years in their house in Tuxedo, Winnipeg, they moved to Vancouver, along with their three children Libby, Shelagh and Alex. A year later, Cynthia was born. The family joined the new Arbutus Club where skating activities could continue. In Vancouver Fran became very active in the UBC Women's Resources Centre, then moved on to do volunteer work at the new Vandusen Botanical Garden where she served for 25 years with the Seed Collectors. Along the way she studied Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. A very special move for Fran came in 1979 when John's career took the family to New York City for three years. (When John heard about the offer, it took Fran all of 30 seconds to decide "YES, LET'S GO.") Fran absolutely loved New York and made the most of her time there, including activities (tennis, amateur theatre) in Greenwich, Connecticut, where they lived. John and Fran often took the train together into Grand Central Station to explore New York City together. One of Fran's passions was gardening. Back in Vancouver the family moved to Southlands where they found a one acre pasture. Fran set to work making this her dream garden, which family and friends loved and admired. It was the perfect backdrop for the many wonderful and outrageous summer events she hosted on the large back patio. The garden was an eclectic marvel. Fran was always up for anything. As an example, at age 79, she thought nothing of being towed around a frozen lake behind an ATV alongside her six-year-old granddaughter, waving gaily at everyone as she zoomed by. Fran is survived by her husband John, daughters Libby, Shelagh Redecopp (Van), Cynthia (Dougal), and son Alex, as well as granddaughters Jennifer (27), Isla (eight) and Rowan (five). In her own unique way Fran made a profound mark on her community and all those who came in contact with her. Fran totally immersed herself in the many activities she loved, whether skating, gardening or being with her family. She died in hospital on February 3, 2014. Friends are welcome to join the family at a reception at the Arbutus Club, Saturday, February 8 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please contact the family about contributing to a fund or charity.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2014