She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be deeply missed by those of us who had the privilege of knowing and being loved by her. Born 1939 in Porto Recanati, Italy, to Angelo and Emelia Biondi, Franca flourished in the care of her mother and aunts during difficult war times.
She often fondly recalled memories of having “three mothers”.
At the age of eight, after the war, her father returned home and the family relocated following business prospects in Tabora, Tanzania, where her younger sister, Anna, was born and where she eventually met her sweetheart, Elwood Thompson. The two met through her father’s mechanic shop where she worked as the receptionist and were married Feb 23rd, 1964.
In 1965 they moved to Saskatchewan and shortly after travelled to Sidney, British Columbia to settle, welcoming their first daughter Angela, followed by Barbara and Cindy. Her daughters were the passion of her life until her very last breathe. Family meant everything to her. She spent countless hours, cooking, sewing, watching grandchildren’s hockey games, events, and performances and still always made the time to keep up with her friends.
Franca was never one to shy away from an adventure. Newlywed, she was whisked away to a hut in the “bush bush” of Tanzania with her new husband. One morning she managed to kill a green mamba coiled up in Elwood’s shirt drawer with a gun cleaning rod, only to discover it had been somewhat of a pet to him. Her life was full. She loved travelling, safaris, skiing, boating and took every opportunity to visit her family back home in Italy, touting three little girls on the long journey alone. Franca was known for her loyalty, courage and boldness. She was the centrepiece of her family and will remain the cherished muse in our conversations and memories.
Franca is survived by husband, Elwood, daughters, Angela, Barbara and Cindy, son-in-laws, Glenn and Dan, grandchildren, Mariah, Serena, Vivian, Benjamin, Julia and Anthony, sister and brother-in-law Anna and Pietro Palanca, brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Donnalynn Thompson, brother-in-law, Will Thompson and cousin, Mimmi Fanelli.
We thank God for the rich life we were blessed to share with her and commit her to His faithful care.
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