April 5, 1930 ~ February 2, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fran Vickery. Just shy of 94 years ago, Fran rushed into the world without leaving enough time to get to the hospital and was, in her own words, “born on the kitchen floor”. She grew up in Toronto as the doted on baby sister of Dorothy and Alex, her beloved older brother and sister. She attended Vaughan Road Collegiate and later North Toronto for Grade 13 after her family moved to Manor Rd. She started university at U of T but found her true calling at Queen’s for a Bachelor of Arts.
Many of her most cherished times came from her summers spent in Kincardine - her happy place. From sleepovers in the lighthouse, to jumping off the pier and swimming in the big waves of Lake Huron, to the annual visit from her American cousins, she always cherished those memories. In later years, her parents rented a summer cottage on Buck Lake and she has many memories and photos from those days as well. As a result, she was always very close to all her cousins throughout her life.
During her adult years as a school teacher in Toronto, she met her future husband, Jack, at the badminton club. After a visit to his family, his Aunt informed him that Fran was too tall for him so that was the end of that relationship…. or was it…? Several years later, she spotted him on the slopes and skied over the backs of his brand new skis, for which he forgave her and went on to marry her. Fran settled into married life at age 40 and had her 2 girls, Carol and Joanne, at age 41 and 43. She enjoyed those busy years as a stay at home mom with lots of activities including volunteering with the United Church Women’s Group, Beaches Ski Club, bridge club, and membership in the Kew Beach couples’ club.
Fran was a strong advocate for family time and lots of time was spent skiing and at the family cottage on Lake Dalrymple with Jack and the girls. Throughout this time, Fran was extremely secretive about her age, including and up until her death. Heaven forbid if you dare ask her age! We could say it was because she was an older parent but in reality this was a common trait in her family.
This past December, she agreed to move to Guelph to be closer to her daughter Joanne for a 3 month winter vacation at a retirement home. She enjoyed making new friends, playing BINGO and bridge and participating in family activities. The end came quickly after a fall but we knew there would be a great welcoming committee on the other side as she went to join Jack, Alex, Dorothy and her beloved parents.
Fran touched the lives of countless people throughout her life. She had a strong personality, she was known to be fiercely independent, and she was an excellent organizer of things, activities and people. She had a job for everyone, whether they wanted it or not, and insisted that this made people feel at-home (at the very least, it got stuff done!) She will be deeply missed by all, including her daughters Carol Vickery-Sulis (husband Stephen) and Joanne Robb (husband Aaron). She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Andrew (18), Matthew (16), Sophia (16) and Liam (13).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave, Toronto on Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 pm. A reception of friendship and fellowship will follow after the service at the church.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).
If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beach United Church.
A tree will be planted in memory of Frances M. Vickery in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.