Frances May Ross

July 15, 1949 – February 26, 2021

It is with unbelievable grief and sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Frances May Ross (nee Fox) at the age of 71, in Prince George. We are grateful that Fran suffered through only a short illness.

Fran and I (Dave Ross) met at university, and married in 1972. Our 48 years of marriage were filled with love and adventure, and I will greatly miss my life partner. Fran will also be missed by her brother Don and beloved sister-in-law Joy, along with her daughters Tamara and Nicole, and her sons-in-law David Berg and Scott Merrifield. Grandma will be missed by her five cherished granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Jessica and Cora Berg and Hailey and Simone Merrifield, to whom she was devoted.

Fran was raised in a traditional family by Marg and Lloyd Fox in Vancouver. Lloyd built a home that he and Marg filled with love for six decades. Fran graduated from Gladstone Secondary School, after skipping grade nine, and attended UBC where she earned a Bachelor’s of Education. Fran served as a Counsellor for a year at Garibaldi Secondary School in Maple Ridge when she was only 21 years of age. She later counselled at Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver while I worked on my Master’s Degree. We spent three years teaching in Terrace, where Fran served as a Counsellor at Caledonia Secondary School. It was in Terrace that we met many of our best friends, who we continue to travel with.

When we moved to Prince George in the mid-1970s we joined the Wildwood family (aka the Rangoon Racket Club), and Fran served as a Counsellor at Prince George Secondary School. She finished her teaching career in Learning Assistance and Senior Math at Kelly Road Secondary School. Fran was a devoted teacher who truly enjoyed her profession.

Fran was also a devout Catholic who not only followed her beliefs; she practiced them daily. After retiring from teaching Fran became more involved in the community and her church. She delivered books to shut-ins, volunteered with the Winter Games, and supported numerous community projects. The project which gave her the greatest pride was helping families from the Middle East settle in Canada.

Fran’s other major service commitment was to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. She was not only a Board member but was, at times, a daily worker. She loved her duties and was offended when anyone criticized the clientele. Fran devoted many hours to her church and community and received numerous awards for her community service and recognition from the School District.

While still teaching we took two years to travel with our children: first spending six months in the US, Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba in 1987-88, mostly in a camper; then traveling through the US and South East Asia (from Chiang Mai to Bali – by bus, train, boat and elephant) in 1993-94.

In retirement we continued to travel the world. At first we went to see world heritage sites: Petro, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and more. We realized that we were less interested in structures and more interested in people – who are all the same despite their skin tone, religious beliefs, and life style. We all share the goal of being able to look after our families and provide our children with the education and skills to build a good life. Every time we retuned home we reflected on how fortunate we are to be Canadian.

Fran’s family will participate in a Funeral Mass at her home church, Christ our Saviour Catholic Parish. We look forward to Celebrating Fran’s Life with her family, friends, and the many people whose lives she has touched, when COVID restrictions are lifted.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Fran’s name to the St Vincent De Paul Society of Prince George. Donations can be made by mail or online through CanadaHelps.org.

And I encourage you to find an extra moment of kindness for your spouse, partner and family as our time with those we love can be unexpectedly short.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/prince-george-bc/frances-ross-10076176?fbclid=IwAR2joyAkhUUn59XcVO2pwRISafbLyfcMhVgDYb8GXKhTfr-kklPKcX5tBmY