Obituary – Frances Hills, 77

March 12th, 1934 – May 6th, 2011

Frances Margaret Ann Hills, or Fran March 12, 1934 – May 6, 2011 to her friends, was born in Port Arthur, Ontario, on the 12th day of March 1934 to Robert and Christina Sutton. Fran was the first of six children, joined by a brother James and sister Kathleen (who died in infancy) while living in Port Arthur. The family relocated to Fort Frances, and then again to The Pas in Manitoba. While living in The Pas the family was blessed with three more brothers, Leonard, Gordon, and Ronald. Fran met the love of her life (Bruce Hills) while living in The Pas and they married in December of 1952. Fran and Bruce started their family with the birth of their first daughter Bobbi-Jane in Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan, in October 1953. In 1955 the Hills relocated to Fort Nelson where Fran and Bruce plied their respective trades for CN – Bruce as a lineman and Fran as a telephone operator. Fran’s family grew by two while in Fort Nelson with the addition of two daughters Jackie Lynn and Janyce Dawn. Fort Nelson was to remain the home for the Hills until the untimely death of Bruce in 1981. Fran relocated to the Yukon with her brothers Leonard and Gordon and worked on the White Pass Yukon railway and several mining companies for a few years in the summer and spending her winters in Fort Nelson. After several years Fran relocated to the Okanagan area of B.C. Fran took to the Okanagan like a fish takes to water. She had peach, cherry, walnut, and apricot trees to name a few. There wasn’t a Christmas go by that someone didn’t receive a box of walnuts. After many years in the Okanagan, Fran returned to the north after the death of her mother to help care for her dad who lived in Dawson Creek. After about five years of living in Dawson Creek Fran suffered a series of mini strokes. Fran was admitted into the care home in Pouce Coupe where she remained until her eldest daughter Bobbi could get her moved to Fort St John. Fran lived out the remainder of her years at the care home in Fort St John where she settled in nicely, playing bingo and attending the red hat teas as well as taking numerous trips on the bus to various sites and events in the Fort St John area. Fran also made several trips to Fort Nelson as well as some trips to Jackie and Wade’s cabin in Lac La Hache. Most Sundays found Fran at Bobbi’s house in Cecil Lake where she played crib with Bobbi (winning most of the time), and helped Bobbi fold the laundry, and was rewarded with a home cooked meal. Fran would sit out on the deck with her cigarette and watch the deer in the field. One time she came into the house and proudly announced to Mike I let your cat in, to which Mike replied we don’t have a cat, only to have his fun spoiled by Bobbi declaring that yes they do have a cat. Fran developed an aneurism at the base of her carotid artery in early January and was medevaced to Edmonton for emergency surgery. Following Fran’s return to Fort St John she was in and out of the hospital with various medical conditions until her death on the sixth of May. Fran was predeceased by her husband Bruce, parents Christina and Robert Sutton, sister Kathleen, her grandson Jamie Paul, and son in law Allan Thiemann. Fran is survived by her four brothers James, Leonard, Gordon, and Ronald, as well as her daughters Bobbi and husband Mike Fitzgerald, Jackie and husband Wade Paul, Janyce and friend Cameron Cooper, as well as six grandchildren, Mark, Billy, Sherri, Debra, Christina, and Bruce. Fran also has four great grandchildren and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her fifth great grandchild due to be born in June to proud parents Sherri and Rom. The Hills girls and families would like to thank Jean Hansen for providing the tea, your efforts will always be cherished, emergency room staff and doctors, care home nurses and staff, and a special thank you to Dr. Hattingh, Dr. Page, and to Dr. Potgieter. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver or a charity of your choice.

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