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Frances Irene (nee Abbott) SCHMIDT

June 19, 2007

SCHMIDT,

Frances Irene

(nee Abbott)

1938-2007


Frances was born in Flint, Michigan on February 26, 1938. When she was a young girl her family moved to Bakersfield, California, where she spent her formative years, and which she always considered to be her hometown. She attended Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College before moving to Los Angeles and completing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at UCLA. It was during a visit to see her aunt and uncle in Courtenay in 1969 that she decided to "temporarily" move to Vancouver Island for a one-year teaching contract at Comox Elementary. Soon after, she found true love when she met Frank at a local dance. Fran and Frank married in 1971 and from that union had two children, Christopher and Jennifer, who they raised in Campbell River.

Fran was a devoted wife, mother, and teacher, and was delighted that she had the privilege to teach three of her grandchildren how to read during her last position at Maple School before she retired in 1998. Her students, who she affectionately referred to as her "children", will especially remember her for playing the piano at assemblies and concerts, and for the end-of-year Fun Day which she hosted annually in her backyard.

Fran was an active member of the United Church. She sang in the choir, was on the new church building committee, and was president of the United Church Women’s Group. She was also an involved member of the Black Creek German Canadian Society, a representative for the Campbell River District Teachers’ Association, and a sister of Phi Mu sorority. She was proud to become a Canadian citizen in 2001.

Her kind heart, gentle spirit, beautiful personality, and infectious smile will live on in our memories.

She was predeceased by her parents and brother.

She is survived by her husband Frank, son Christopher (Heather), daughter Jennifer, step-son Arnold (Leslie), step-daughter Martina, four grandchildren Elaine, Jason, Andrea, and Calvin, sister-in-law Peggy Abbott, two nephews Douglas (Alice) and John (Paula) Abbott and their children Sara and Rachel.

Interment will take place at Courtenay Civic Cemetery on Saturday, June 23rd, at 11:00AM. Followed by a service at Campbell River United Church, 415 Pinecrest Road, at 1:00PM, with the Reverend Bert Ramsay officiating.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1423B-16th Avenue, Campbell River, BC V9W 2E4, with appreciation.

"Mom is in heaven teaching all the little angels."

Arrangements Entrusted to ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES/ELK FALL CREMATORIUM



ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES

& ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM

and Memorial Chapel

#103-909 Island Highway

287-3366



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