Peacefully, on July 12, 2019, surrounded by family at the Health Sciences Centre, Fran left us following a battle with lung cancer. Fran leaves to mourn her husband, Larry, her children Sheri (Parry LePage) and Pam (Clint Braun), her two granddaughters, Adara and Melodie LePage, her brother Dan Ostryznik (Marilyn), her sisters Joanne King (Jim) and Diana Reimer (Ernie), along with Larry’s brothers and sisters, and numerous nephews and nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins from the Ostryznik, Pollock and Grift families. She is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mary Ostryznik.
Fran was born at St. Boniface Hospital and lived in Transcona for most of her life. At the age of 18, Fran started a job as a customer service representative with the Bank of Nova Scotia, a job she held for her entire working career until she retired in 2000 to help look after her granddaughter. She worked at Main Branch downtown for many years, and ended her career at the Nairn and Panet Branch. Fran liked dealing with customers, and made many lifelong friendships at the bank, still going for lunch regularly with her retired friends until her health prevented it in the last two months of her life.
Fran and Larry married on July 8, 1967 and started their life together. They lived in St. Vital for two years before heading back to Transcona and finding their first home for their family on Larche Crescent. Fran made friends easily, and enjoyed many lifelong friendships with the circle of friends that began with the group that lived on Larche. Fran and Larry enjoyed travelling with their family and friends and going to warm locations in the winter. Over the years, they also curled, golfed and bowled together, raised their family, spoiled their grandchildren and set an example for their children of what a strong relationship should be.
In recent years, Fran enjoyed taking turns hosting dinners with the three other couples in their dinner group. Fran also enjoyed Aquacise at Bernie Wolfe Pool, followed by coffee with the Aquacise group. Fran and Larry bowled with the Transcona Seniors at Roxy, where Fran attained the women’s high average. She was always active, and was always on the go.
Fran was a great mother and a terrific grandmother, and her grandchildren loved walking or biking over to the house for a visit. Grandma always had some little gifts for them that “she didn’t need any more”. They called her a “Glam Grandma” and admired her sense of style, loved her cooking and appreciated her personality. They thought she was famous because her picture was in the Leisure Guide for Aquacise.
The family is grateful to Health Sciences Centre for the care provided to Fran. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, a memorial donation may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.
As per Fran’s request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on July 26, 2019 at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery; Hwy #1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg.
