Winnifred Hyacinthe Francis

Family members, friends, ladies and gentlemen and esteemed guests. First, let me start by saying thank you for attending this important ceremony to celebrate the life of Winnifred Hyacinthe Francis. You have come from the United States and across Canada showing a strong indication of how Winnie had touched all our lives. My name is Corey and I am one of 19 grandchildren to Winnie. It is very difficult to even start this eulogy and put into words all the attributes that my Grandma possessed. 

Just yesterday, during a tribute, Winnie was referred to as the matriarch of the Francis brood. She was the central figure for all gatherings. From her meagre beginnings in Jamaica and to her life in Canada, Grandma has always maintained a space where all family and friends could go and feel comfortable if that meant going to her apartment or one of her children’s homes and feeding everyone stew peas, rice and peas and the like. Like a pack of African elephants, the Francises, the Trotts, the Keanes and Burnetts followed the two women (including Aunt Maisie) from watering hole to watering hole. We have followed all these years because while she did not sit and hold court and teach us, if you took a moment to actually listen, the lessons would find you in the stories she might tell. But now the matriarch has passed and like the elephants in the wild would do, we hold court to pay tribute to the wonderful memories she has left behind. 

She was a mother, sister, and friend to everyone of us here today and I’m sure that each of you would have a story or two to share how she had touched your lives also. I remember so distinctly our times together in her apartment at Don Mills and Finch, watching The Price Is Right or The Family Feud. We would yell at the tv together as if our ramblings would change anything. But when someone invariably said something funny, Grandma and I would laugh until tears were streaming down our faces. She loved the games shows so. Even until her last months in the home at Hellenic, The Game Show channel was usually the channel playing on her little tv. 

My Grandma was a strong stoic figure. Quite honestly, I don’t know of anyone stronger. I have had teachers who have had gout and they had to take time off work because some days it was so painful. I have had friends who have had kidney stones and they mention that the pain is unimaginable. She had those and many other ailments that she NEVER once complained about unless asked. I took a moment to ask her how she was feeling a couple of weeks before she passed. She turned her mouth down and said, “I’m ok”. I was then a bit more specific and asked on a scale of 1-10 how much pain do you feel when you pee. She said it was a 10. I know that she never wanted to burden anyone.  All Grandma wanted to do was go back home to the apartment and sew, as she said to me the week before her heart attack and stroke. And while her body was weak, her mind was as sharp as ever. She would sometimes look and stare as if she wasn’t sure, but in the blink of an eye she would call a name or re-tell a 30 year old story like it happened yesterday. 

Today is most certainly not a day to be sad about the passing of our Winnie. It is a day to celebrate and rejoice in all the fun and good times that we all have had throughout her life and ours. I know that Grandma is in a place where good people go to rest their weary heads. I know that now Grandma is running in the fields with someone named Ivy and they are going to find that Ice box. I just know it!



“Mama Chuloops,” as Mrs. Francis was fondly called in our family, was given this name by our Grandmother some 50 years ago, after the birth of her last child, Ian, who is Beverley’s godson. We both share fond memories of Mrs. Francis, dating back to our youth in the early1960’s when we were neighbours in Harbour View, which at the time was a newly-established community near the eastern boundary of the City of Kingston, Jamaica.

We remember a tall, statuesque woman whose sheer size, accompanied by the  warning -  “Don’t mek ah sid down pon yuh” as she threatened to sit on any of her seven children who fell out of line, was all that was needed to promptly restore order. We remember a woman who worked hard to supplement the family’s small  income, and who, despite the pressures, always had a humourous story to tell us.  

We remember a woman who was a true and caring neighbor, who became a very close friend and confidante of our late Mother and who was a tower of support as Mommie went through difficult divorce proceedings. Over the years, they shared  their personal problems and plans, as well as their joy at their childrens’ achievements, and they laughed at the funny exploits  of relatives and mutual friends.      

Mrs. Francis became a member of our extended family, and we were equally accepted into her large family circle. This was especially the case with Jennifer, who literally took up residence in the Francis’ living room with the advent of television in Jamaica, and only returned home late at night when the TV station signed off.  
Mrs. Francis was one of the few persons with whom Jennifer, who was withdrawn, spoke freely and shared what Mama Chuloops called her “wants column.”

Jennifer recalls how under the guidance of Mrs. Francis, who was an ace dressmaker, she assisted in hemming dresses, sewing on buttons and hooks and putting the finishing touches on customers’ dresses.  She also learned the art of making thread loops – a skill that she has retained to this day! And of course, she was present for the mouth-watering stew peas and rice dinner, usually served on weekends. Our Mom also spoke about the stew peas that she enjoyed with the Francis family in Canada where they have lived for more than 40 years. Although she was not in Jamaica for the occasion, Mrs. Francis was also very much a part of Jennifer’s wedding more than 30 years ago, as she put her whole heart and soul into sewing the beautiful dress that we still have stored in a cupboard.

Despite the physical distance that separated us, the bond of friendship between us has always remained strong, with Mrs. Francis maintaining phone contact and making the occasional visit to Jamaica.  On those occasions, she always spent several days at our home, sharing fond memories, as well as the latest family news, and reconnecting with old acquaintances.

Whenever we met, we always recalled the NewYear’s Eve in Jamaica when Mrs. Francis invited Beverley to keep her company as she worked to complete a dress for a customer. That was quite an experience!! 

 
The complete opposite to Jennifer, Beverley regaled her with all kinds of stories that kept the poor woman awake much longer than she anticipated or wished. Not really wanting to hurt Beverley’s feelings, Mrs. Francis endured the chatter until Beverley finally ran out of steam well after midnight.  

The last time we saw Mrs. Francis was on her last visit to Jamaica in August 2007, just one month before our Mother died. On our subsequent telephone conversations with her, we were always struck by the clarity of her mind and the fact that, at the first word, she was always able to recognize who was calling.

As He did for our Mom, the Lord granted her wish when He took Mrs. Francis home on May 29.  She has left us with many wonderful memories that will continue to make us laugh... and we will also remember her loyal friendship and  warm generosity to our family, her dignity… and those ever so beautifully manicured fingernails that were the envy of us all.

We know that she is now in a better place and we can just see her and our Mom  greeting each other. May her soul rest in peace.


Beverley Newell & Jennifer Rose
Kingston, Jamaica
June 6, 2011

Ian, Chris and family.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.   What a legacy left behind.

Dear Ian and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. I know what it is like to lose a parent and my thoughts and prayers are with you. The photos are beautiful. Ian, I see so much of your mother in you; her essence lives on in you.

All my love
Mark Schultz

Dear Kathleen,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your mom .She was certainly special, and for me a long and lasting symbol of goodness.She was a fond beacon from my 14th teen year.May her soul rest in everlasting peace.
Love
Noel--(Noel/Pauline )

Dear Lorna and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom's death. She was a special woman and will missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
The May and Bright Family.

Dear Ian and the Francis Family,
Please accept my very sincere condolences on the loss of your mom.  We lost our father in February of this year so we understand the grief you must be going through at this time.  Please take comfort in knowing that she had a long life well lived and well loved by all.
Sincerely,
Glace Lawrence & Family
Vancouver, BC & Toronto ON

OBITUARY

Winnifred Hyacinth Francis

2 September, 1923 – 29 May, 2011

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services