Francis Valerie (née Kostanjevic)) Mulhall

Francis Valerie Mulhall (née Kostanjevic) — affectionately known as Fran, Franni, Koza, Mucky Ducky, and Marma — was a force to be reckoned with. Fran was passionate about people and life itself. Light and warmth incarnate, she exuded unparalleled energy and wore a smile so infectious it could melt the most hardened of hearts. She was our ‘Dancing Queen’. She had the voice of an angel. Her soft green eyes would well up each time a song hit just right, and if “Hallelujah” by John Legend came on *cue the tears*. Fran didn’t shy away from big feelings and faced every challenge in life head on. After a 7 year battle with cancer, Fran passed away peacefully in her home on December 26, 2023 surrounded by the loves of her life: her husband, Tom, and their children, Breanna, Drew, and Sarah.

Fran was a caregiver at her core. She dedicated her career to helping others. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Labour and Delivery at St Boniface Hospital where she brought little lives earth-side and taught expecting parents how to prepare for birth and beyond. From there, Fran transitioned to a position at the John Buhler Research Centre in Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg where she coordinated research studies for women’s health. Fran was invigorated by her work and took great pride in making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Fran’s caring nature extended beyond her career, first and foremost, to her family.

As a wife, Fran was supportive, helpful, and loving. Tom described Fran as ‘the colour in his world’. They shared 35 beautiful years together, creating lasting memories in the home they built, entertaining family and friends, decorating and gardening in the yard, and travelling within North America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

As a mother, Fran was present and deeply involved in her children’s lives. She spent countless hours carpooling to St. Mary’s Academy and St. Paul’s High School, dance rehearsals, music and swimming lessons, and hockey and soccer games. Hostess extraordinaire, she opened her home to all her children’s friends, unofficially adopting a number of them, offering a listening ear and ensuring mouths were fed. When her children left the nest to build lives of their own, Fran enjoyed visiting Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Fran would want it noted that she had an exceptional internal compass and could navigate any city without the need for GPS — one of her numerous hidden talents.

As a daughter and a sister, Fran was energetic and generous with her time. Her parents, Andrej and Albina Kostanjevic, her uncle Anton, and her brother Mario note that, as a little girl, she was always chattering and singing — ‘Koza’, they called her, meaning ‘Goat’ in Slovenian. The G.O.A.T. she was. She was passionate, and in true Winnipegger fashion, a die-hard Jets fan. Her family will remember her curled up by the fire, sporting a giant foam finger while religiously watching the game.

As a friend, Fran was warm, reliable, and always down for a laugh. She was a social butterfly, thriving off her multitude of deep, meaningful friendships. She treasured every person dear to her, whether they met in childhood, at work, or down the country road. Trips with her ‘Palm Springs Girls’ left her with a full heart and an ache in her side from days of hysterical laughter.

Fran was so many things to so many people and lived her life to the fullest. Her family has honoured her with a private service and will host a larger Celebration of Life in the future. For those that wish to honour Fran’s memory, donations may be sent to Cancer Care Manitoba.