FRANCES CASS

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FRANCES CASS

Peacefully, on June 7, 2025, Frances Cass passed away at Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home, at the age of 94 years.

Frances was predeceased by her husband George in 2016, by her mother Marianna, and father William, brothers Joseph, Alexander and John, and sisters Carrie, Jeanne, Josephine, Violet and Rose.

Frances is lovingly remembered by her daughters Laurie and Lesley, son-in-law David, grandchildren Amy (Alex) and Jordan (Alaina), and great-grandchildren Logan and Sophia. Also left to cherish her memory are her sister Betty, and many nieces and nephews.

Frances was born in Beausejour, Manitoba, the sixth child in a family of ten siblings. She became a long-distance telephone operator for Manitoba Telephone Service in 1947, and was promoted to Supervisor before retiring in 1968. While working in Winnipeg, Frances was introduced to a handsome RCMP officer, who became the love of her life. Frances and George were married in 1957, and began their family life together in Selkirk.

From there, they were posted to Stonewall, Emerson, Brandon and Gimli. As the wife of an RCMP officer in small rural detachments, Frances assumed the unpaid role of RCMP support personnel, often providing meals for prisoners, answering the phones for the office, or providing other crucial support for her husband and the RCMP detachment. Frances was very proud to be awarded the prestigious Second Man Award by the RCMP in 2013, in recognition of and appreciation for her vital role. In 1973, George and Frances settled in Winnipeg after George retired from the RCMP, and she began her retail career with Birks Jewellers. Frances always took great pride in her appearance, and loved her jewellery, ensuring her family all had special pieces to remember her by.

Frances and George loved to travel and especially enjoyed meeting up with long-time friends on their annual trips to various locations for the RCMP Vets AGM, and relaxing at their time-share condo in Honolulu, Hawaii. For their 50th wedding anniversary, a family Caribbean cruise ending in New York was a highlight. After George had passed away, Frances bravely ventured to Hamilton with Lesley to visit the Pallisters; to Edmonton with Laurie and David to see Amy and Alex’s new home, and then to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for their wedding. She was always excited to visit family.

Frances loved spending time with her family. The many Englott family reunions with all her brothers and sisters and their families were very special for her, as is evident by the numerous photos and albums she put together. When grandchildren came around, she was happy to plan special outings with them, and enjoyed attending all their activities. Amy and Jordan fondly remember trips to Grand Beach for picnics and French fries, or a ride on the Prairie Dog Central Railway, the heavenly smell of Christmas dinner at Grandma’s, or a choice of two kinds of pudding at sleepovers! To her absolute delight, Frances recently became a great-grandmother. Video chats with “her babies” brought out her biggest smiles, even as she was struggling with health issues.

Frances was quiet, kind, and soft-spoken. Her passions included all types of gardening, from prize-winning orchids, to her back yard full of stunning lilies. She was a member of the Manitoba Orchid Society and loved participating in their Annual Orchid Show. George and Frances were long-time members of St. Andrew Anglican Church. They treasured their church family, and the life-long friendships they made there, often meeting with friends and fellow parishioners for coffee after the Sunday service. Frances was an active member of the Altar Guild, ACW, and Creekside Quilters, where she took great pride in being a part of the beautiful quilts they created.

The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home who looked after Mom on her good days and her bad days, always with the utmost kind and compassionate care. We are so grateful to all the staff there. Thank you also to Reverend Liz Richens and members of St. Andrew’s for guiding us through this trying time.

In keeping with Frances’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Anglican Church Woodhaven, 2700 Portage Ave.

The service will be streamed live and recorded on https://www.youtube.com/@standrewswoodhaven4825

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson Canada.

Rest in peace, Mom - we love you.

We hold you close within our hearts,

And there you shall remain;

To walk with us throughout our lives,

Until we meet again.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2025