Theresa Mary Francis

Theresa was born on January 5, 1917 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was a survivor of the Halifax Explosion. At the age of 4 she left Halifax with her family and moved to their ancestral home in Diman, Lebanon, returning to Halifax in 1938 where she lived and worked with her close friends and relatives, Charles and Mary Joseph. She remained in Halifax throughout World War II and once again left for Lebanon in 1950 where she met and married the love of her life of 62 years, Farid Francis.

They returned to Halifax together, and raised their family happily.

Theresa was the matriarch of the family, known for her loving, kind, hardworking and non-judgemental spirit. Through her, many families emigrated from Lebanon to Halifax. Theresa was a pillar in the Lebanese community and loved by all who knew her. She could be counted on to always be there for family and friends; in particular her grandchildren who lit up her life. Famous for her delicious Lebanese cuisine, Nanny felt most at home in her kitchen, and in church – possessing an unshakeable faith and devotion to the Virgin Mary. She was a life-long parishioner of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.

She is survived by her husband Farid, children Phillip (Penny), James (Therese) and Mary Anne (John) Salah all of Halifax. Her cherished grandchildren: Jarrod, Theresa Anne, Michael, Jessica, Julie, Peter and James of Halifax Ben (Sara) Francis of Calgary and Sarah (David) Lalonde of Montreal. Her great-grandchildren: Joseph and Felicity Francis of Calgary. She is also survived by her siblings: Yasmine Ghosn, Marie Metlej, Jeanette Ramia, Josephine (Rafic) Abihanna of Halifax, John and Simon (Nada) Saleh of Lebanon. Sisters-in-law: Josie, Catherine, Josephine, and Elaine. She joins her parents Isor and Shmoonie, siblings: Anthony, Joseph, Michel, and Elias, sister-in-law Lucia, brothers-in-law Joseph, Elias, and John in heaven.

Visitation will be on Thursday June 6 from 7-9pm, Friday June 7 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Windsor Street. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday June 8 at 10am at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church on Joseph Howe Drive with Father Pierre Azzi officiating. Interment will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery Lower Sackville.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church.

“Dearest Nanny, you are too kind.

With your love, our lives will always shine.

With your prayers we feel secure and your peace taught us the meaning of pure.”