Frances Maud Drape Edwards

She leaves a wonderful legacy of life to her grandchildren Sarah (Chris), Melissa, Matt (Alma), and her four great granddaughters Emily, Maddison, Rhys and Paige. Our precious Stephanie, who predeceased Mum, is now with her favourite rummy player.

Born in Vancouver October 31, 1922, Mum, known to many as Effie, attended York House School and UBC prior to joining the Royal Canadian Wrens and becoming a decoder during WW2 in Ottawa and Esquimalt.

On her return to Vancouver, she met and married her man in a kilt, John Edwards. While raising her family she conquered sewing on a treadle machine while homesteading on Gambier Island, creative cooking, and the art of entertaining. She passed to her children a strong commitment to give back to their communities through many hours of volunteer work with the Community Chest, the Red Feather in the West End, the Junior League and the John Howard Society to name a few.

Summers were special! At the end of the school year, we'd load up the boat and head up to "camp" on Gambier Island, joining the Richardson, Payne, Johnston and Ferguson families “roughing” it without telephones, electricity, TV or cars. Mum made sure that we spent our days exploring & our imaginations flourished. Quick memories include Yellow Rattlers, rain barrel showers before the dads arrived on Friday night, sulphur well water and orchard apple crisp.

Back in Vancouver Mum discovered a talent for selling Real Estate and sold many of the "new" builds in the west end, and houses throughout the city. She loved interacting with her clients and many friendships were born from her career.

Time to retire and Fran headed to Victoria to be near Rob and his family. An avid bridge player, Mum soon developed a wide circle of friends, playing at the Victoria Golf Club and once she joined Probus she and her partner became the ones to beat. 2910 Cook Street became her special home -she loved The Castle and her generous neighbours.

Mum also loved to cruise, Alaska being a favourite port of call and boarding a ship in London to Cape Town to see Christy and her family was a memorable event. The South African adventure began when she stepped off the ship as she explored the country, the game parks, and even a few bridge games!

Mum had a regular preamble...." I'll never forget" followed by a recollection of an important event during her 100 years...like meeting Burt Lahr, the friendly lion in the Wizard of Oz when she was in uniform in N.Y.C., helping the milkman & his horse deliver milk during a snowstorm, the weekly visit from the fishmonger, evenings at the "Roof" - Vancouver Hotel, parties on Churchill Street when neighbours would stay for midnight bacon and eggs before heading home, and why did she join the Navy when her father was a Colonel?

We would like to thank Kathy, mum's intrepid shopper and helper, Nancy for taking Mum for beach drives and picnic lunches, and Jenna, caregiver does not begin to explain all that Jenna did to enrich Mum's last year and to Care and Co. for their continued love and support. All made it possible to grant Mum's wish of staying in her home.

We celebrated Mum's 100th birthday on October 31st, 2022 with her grand and great grandchildren and many generations of her friends. We are so grateful to have these happy memories of our time together. At her request there will not be a memorial service but we ask that you hug a senior and make their day special.