With great sadness we regret to announce the passing of Mary Frances Young at The Elliott Community on Jan. 27, 2020 at the age of 97.
Born on July 31, 1922 in Owen Sound to Neil Edward and Mary Kathleen (Barclay) McDonald, Frances attended high school there where she would meet and later marry Robert Keith Young; a marriage remarkably of 74 years. Robert passed away this past November.
Fran and Bob settled in Guelph and became loving and nurturing parents to two sons, John (Linda) and James (Cheryl). They were delighted to become grandparents to Matthew (Maryann) and Andrew (Amber) and great grandparents to Violet, Tristan, and Rosie.
Frances is also survived by her much loved sister Jane (William) Milne of Burlington who together shared a deep respect of the McDonald clan that bound them in a common heritage. Their ancestral roots were often a favourite topic of family conversation. Frances is now among those who will continue to be fondly celebrated going forward.
Frances held several important positions throughout her working life, including office managerial roles at Dr. Flora Little’s practice, and at both Victory P.S. and Centennial C.V.I.. Her career culminated as the Assistant to the Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was highly respected and valued by both senior administration and medical staff.
With a sense of civic duty Frances began volunteering as a chaperon at dances at the YMCA / YWCA on Quebec Street. Then in 1968, Frances played a key role on the committee overseeing the planning and construction of the then new YMCA / YWCA on Speedvale Avenue and later became its first President.
Frances will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving and caring person. She sought out the very best in people and was always delighted to visit with family and friends and make new acquaintances. She loved getting caught up with her girlfriends over lunches. Frances thoroughly enjoyed the extensive travel that she and Robert were able to pursue after their retirements.
Her sons remember her as a wonderfully loving mother who was always supportive and interested in their lives and of those around them. As a masterful cook, she instilled in them a love of food. Splendidly prepared dinners were always delightful centrepieces for family to gather and share their latest experiences.
The Elliott Community had been home to Frances for the last six years. She was very content there and delighted in a most caring and thoughtful staff. She was later joined at The Elliott by Robert in a touching reunification after a brief hiatus and they resided in rooms directly across a hall from one another.
In keeping with her wishes, Frances will be cremated and her ashes interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
By her selfless character, Frances would be consoled by knowing that those who loved her are now comforted in the realization that she lived a life filled with happiness, accomplishment, and the mutual love and deep respect of family and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, www.wallcustance.com, 519-822-0081.
A tree will be planted in memory of M. Frances Young in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:30 pm.