Francis Ann McEachern

Frances Ann McEachern (née McCoy).

Born in Fort William, Ontario, on July 23, 1946, Frances attended St.

Martin’s and Rosslyn Road Elementary Schools, and was a graduate St.

Patrick’s High School.

Nursing was her chosen profession and in 1969 Frances graduated from

McKellar School of Nursing, and remained on staff as a Registered

Nurse at McKellar General in Fort William/Thunder Bay. She later

moved to British Columbia and continued her career as a pediatric nurse

at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

Following her life in nursing, Fran devoted her life to her children and to

making her house a warm and welcoming place for family and friends.

Any visitor to Fran’s home wasn’t surprised to leave wearing something

she had knitted while listening to jazz and classical music...a lot of

classical music.

Fran lived a life filled with love for her family, and welcomed her own

arrival into grand motherhood.

She and her partner, Don Gibson, spent their lives together in Kamloops

where their common interests included gardening, caring for family, and

escaping the worst parts of Canadian winters in travel. Frances’ last few

winters were spent in the Dominican Republic where the local

friendships she and Don made gave free rein to Fran’s generosity;

whether providing school supplies to local schools, building supplies to

local families, buying ice cream for a grandmother and her

grandchildren on a blistering hot day, or, to Don’s surprise, giving away

her laptop to a needy family.

Family members in their reminisces of Fran’s life, speak of how “Franny

taught us how to care, give, and love one another."

In her life, Frances ‘Fran’ McEachern was a much loved person whose

presence will be missed, but whose memory will never diminish.

Frances is survived by her loving partner Don Gibson; daughters Kristen

McEachern (Aaron Toombs) and Stacey McEachern Waugh (Michael

Waugh); grandchildren Raina, Eden, and Callum; Bruce McEachern;

grand-dogs Cassius and Rusty; as well as her and Don’s extended

family, Kaleigh Stankevich (Warren, Madison and Joey) and Kim

MacKinnon (Chris, Liam and Jane).

She will forever be missed by her loving siblings Virginia McCoy

(Frank Macdonald), Heather McCoy (Ian Sharpe), Alex McCoy (Brenda

Kinnear) and Neil McCoy (Kathy), as well as many very special nieces,

nephews, cousins, sister-in-law Faye Fransson and family (Keith,

Brenda, Matt, Nicole, Jeff and Lisa), and brother-in law Ken Gibson

(Carol).

Frances was predeceased by grandparents Aloysius (Alex) and Celina

McCoy; parents Neil and Violet McCoy; and her brother-in-law Larry

Fransson.

The family wishes to thank the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice

Staff and volunteers for the kindness shown to Fran in her final days,

especially Judy, Erin and Dave whose compassion was a solace to Fran

and her family. We also want to thank Dr. Howie whose care for Fran

went above and beyond in helping his patient during her journey!

By request there will be no service, but a celebration of life will be held

at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Marjorie Willoughby

Snowden Hospice” in Kamloops would be appreciated (72 Whiteshield

Crescent S, Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9).

Cards of condolences can be mailed to Fran and Don's most recent

address: 1413 Rose Hill Rd., Kamloops, BC, V2E 1R8 (250) 318-8082.

Condolences may be made to www.Schoeningfuneralservice.com