The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Frances Marie (Goodine) Gagne was born November 5, 1923 and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Frances was the eldest of eight children born to Gus and Belle Goodine. Fran moved to Toronto during the war and worked for the AJAX ammunition factory. After the war, Fran moved back to Moose Jaw and on October 27, 1945 married Gerard Gagne. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Channing, Manitoba. It was here that they made their home and where all five of us children were born and raised. Mom ran the Channing Post Office out of her home, meeting the train at six in the morning, often through snow and rain. As the girls grew older, Mom became very active in the Guiding Association. Mom and the family were very active in St. Ann's Parish; Mom teaching Catechism in the Channing School and volunteering with CWL. One of our memories of Mom was her talent for knitting. This was a family affair as we were responsible for making the skeins of wool into balls. Mom's knitting was so unique that she grafted and knit the S55 helicopter pattern for sweaters. That winter she was kept very busy as she knit over 40 sweaters for other people. Boy, Christmas was good that year! Mom went to work outside the home in 1961 at the Flin Flon General Hospital. Mom worked in the lab and later became a ward clerk. This job was to last two years. But 26 years later in 1987 Mom finally retired. She loved her job and made many lifelong friendships. Their friendships shone as they cared for Mom during the time she spent in the hospital. My family and I appreciated this special bond that we saw happen time and time again. Mom's greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family gatherings were frequent and lots of fun. As most of you know, Saturday morning Rotary Radio Bingo was a must and as a family member you knew better than to even phone during Bingo hours. Mom has taught us the greatness of family and the importance of humour in life. Mom loved people and the uniqueness of everyone. As she once said, "I'm glad everyone doesn't like the same thing, or everyone would want "My Gerry". In their 49 years of marriage, they truly loved each other. Mom retired in 1987 and stayed home with Dad. Poor Dad. Now he had to eat three hot meals a day and they were served on a plate and he could no longer have them from the can. Six years ago Mom moved to the Legion Housing. Mom was a little leery about moving. We said we would keep the house for six months, but after a few short weeks, we knew the Legion Housing had become "home". At times she was so active there was little time for her to visit with us, but we knew she was just fine when we saw a picture of her playing cards on the front page of The Reminder. Again, Mom made special new friends and renewed old friendships. There was nothing she loved more than going down for coffee, cards, bingo, or whatever other activity was going on. Mom appreciated the weekly visits and friendship of Father Denis when it was difficult for her to attend mass. This was something the whole family appreciated, as it was an important part of Mom's life. We love you Mom. Say hi to Dad for us The Circle of Love will continue with our families. Fran is survived by her children: Marie (Bob) Davies, Geraldine (Tom) Davie, Yvette (Vince) Wilson; Paul (Joyce) Gagne; Patrice (Ralph) Ellingson; grandchildren Ronnie, Deric, Jeannine, Marie-Teresse, Tommy, Michelle, Jamie, Kirk, Nicole, Carey, Mark and nine great grandchildren; sisters Marjorie Snow and Lynda (Gerry) Dubord; brothers-in-law Joe, Art (Daisy); sisters-in-law Lucille (Mike), Alice (Bob) and Barb. She was predeceased by her husband Gerry in 1994; brothers Bill and Jack; sisters Yvonne, Rita and Leila; and sister-in-law Yvonne. Fran passed away Monday, December 26, 2005. Prayers for Fran Gagne were said Friday, December 30, 2005 from the Chapel of Dadson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, December 31 from St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, with Father Denis Bourbonnais, omi, as celebrant. Honourary pallbearers were Fran's grandchildren. Ushers were Kirk Gagne, Nicole Gagne and Mark Ellingson. Memorial register attendants were Michelle Davie and Carey Ellingson. Paul Gagne presented a Remembrance of Mom and Kirk Gagne did a musical tribute. Following interment at Hillside Cemetery, lunch was provided by the Catholic Women's League in the St. Ann's Parish Hall. Dadson Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. The family of Fran Gagne would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have touched Mom's life. To Father Denis for your weekly visits at home and daily visits at the hospital when Mom wasn't able to make it to church. This meant so much to both Mom and her family. Thank you to the CWL for the honour guard, looking after mass cards and for doing the luncheon. To the Home Care staff for your wonderful care. Thanks to you Mom was able to live in her own home and receive the care she needed. It was such a comfort to the family to have such caring people watching over our Mom. For this we cannot thank you enough. Special thanks to Dr. Amin for the years of caring for Mom. Also to the ER nurses and doctors, clinic staff, lab, third floor, and especially fifth floor staff, you all did such a great job of caring for our Mom. To Sherry, Marv and staff at Nu-U who pampered our Mom over the years. Mom loved her weekly visits. To Dana and staff for all your guidance and understanding at such a difficult time. To Mark Kolt for the music and to Bunny Burke for doing the readings. To Kirk for doing a musical tribute for Grandma, Michelle and Carey for looking after the memorial register, and to Kirk, Nicole and Mark for being ushers. To Ronnie, Deric, Jeannine, Tommy, Marie-Teresse and Jamie for being honourary pallbearers. Thank you to everyone who sent flowers, food, donations, mass cards, and for all your phone calls and visits. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and families. Marie, Geraldine, Yvette, Paul and Patrice
