Nicole Annette Ruppenstein (LaFrance-Dittaro)

She was born on July 13, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Camille and Douglas LaFrance. She was raised in Fort Frances graduating from the Fort Frances High School before attending college to work with special needs children. She worked within the schools in Fort Frances and surrounding areas for several years, her students adored her and she cared for them deeply. Nicole was very outgoing and a people person who loved to visit and talk with everyone and she never left anyone out. She wore her heart on her sleeve and would do anything for anyone. Nicole enjoyed nature and being outdoors. In more recent years she really enjoyed fishing. Another passion of Nicole’s was photography. She loved taking pictures of nature, people and of course herself! She wanted to capture everything and share it with those around her.

Nicole leaves behind her father Rick Dittaro (Gayle) of Fort Frances, ON; sister Angelique LaFrance (Darrin) of Edmonton, AB; half brothers Garett LaFrance, Dylan LaFrance (Ashley) and Colten LaFrance; aunts and uncles Dave LaFrance (Char), Mindee Carrier, Lisa LaFrance, Shelly LaFrance and Kathy James (Bill), Auntie Jean and nieces Hadleigh and Raegyn LaFrance as well as numerous cousins. She also leaves behind ex-husband and friend Olaf Ruppenstein and special friend Cody Christensen and many other friends as well as her beloved cat Persia.

She was predeceased by her mother Camille Dittaro on May 31, 2013; father Douglas LaFrance on August 4, 2018; grandparents Maxine and Ormond (Coop) Cooper, Louella and Daniel LaFrance and Henry and Vi Dittaro; Aunts and Uncles Betty Ann St. Peter, John Dittaro, Rosalyn Armit and Cory LaFrance.

A celebration of Nicole’s life will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 in Fort Frances, ON.

The family gratefully requests that in memoriam donations be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation c/o Green Funeral Home, Box 427, 600 Reid Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8.

Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.