Ethel "Frances" Semeniuk

SEMENIUK, E. Frances, 92, of Tampa, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband John Semeniuk, son Roger Odo, brothers Harold Jewer, Frederick Jewer, Ranald Jewer, Walter Jewer, Henry Jewer, Wilfred Jewer, Ronald Jewer and Sister Mary LaVoire. She is survived by son Martin Odo, daughter Lynn Valaes (James), granddaughters Cindy Berry (David), Dawn-Marie Peatson (Mark), sisters Rosella Hudson, Kay King, Jean Bathurst including numerous nieces and nephews.

Frances was born into a large and loving family in the town of New Waterford, Cape Breton Island, Canada. She grew up in a home built by her grandfather overlooking the ocean and had many fond childhood memories of her grandparents, clamming on the beach with her brothers and sisters and enjoying eating lobster. Her love of seafood continued throughout her long life. She often joked that she thought it was funny that even though she grew up next to the ocean she had never been in a boat. Affectionately known as Frannie, she had an infectious smile, a flirty wink and disposition that touched everyone she met.

At the time of WWII, Cape Breton Island suffered from widespread unemployment and poverty, so Frannie followed her sister Mary and moved to Montreal to find work. During the war effort, like many other women, Frannie entered the workforce in a munitions factory assembling ammunition belts for Canadian and Allied forces.

As she moved into her 20’s she waited tables and discovered she loved the service industry and often joked that she loved the money she could make. She worked in some of the most high-end, elegant establishments in Montreal and Toronto recalling tales of Zoot Suit clad men “rubbing out” rivals in the in the dining room during the Zoot Suit riots of the mid 1940’s. Frannie would tell her daughter how she could take orders from a table of 20 while never having to write a single item down and every order was always right. She waited tables into her retirement because she said she loved it. She loved the customer interaction and the fast pace. She was petite, cute and sassy, and male patrons always asked for her by name, many times to the irritation of her female co-workers.

Frannie loved her children more than life. She was a protective and devoted mother, hardworking wife, and she loved music and dancing. Like all her family, you couldn’t keep her sitting for long once the music started playing. Whether it was a family wedding or music jam sessions at the house, she was kicking up her feet, singing, dancing and having a great time -- laughing and smiling the whole time.

She resided in Canada for 82 years until the death of her son, Roger, then relocated to Tampa in 2008 with her daughter Lynn. In Tampa, she developed many friendships and her wit and charm left lasting impressions on everyone she met. Whether it was the clerks at Publix or the pharmacists at CVS, everyone always asked how she was and went out of their way to wave and say hello. Frannie treasured the last 11 years spent with her daughter and son-in-law and her absence will leave a massive void for all that knew her.

The family will receive friends to remember Frannie’s life this Sunday, November 24, 2019 between 1 and 2 PM at the Blount & Curry at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E Lake Avenue, Tampa. Services will be at 2 PM at the funeral home, followed by Interment at Myrtle Hill Park cemetery.