|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GAMBLE, Francis Lynne (née BOBIE) - passed away suddenly but peacefully on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, with Gwen and Kevin by her side.
Fran was born August 2, 1941, to Minnie and Steve Bobie. She was the third of five sisters and grew up in Current River, where she would spend summer days swimming in Boulevard or the Current River Pool and winter days skating. She attended Current River School, PACI and Lakeview before graduating from Lakehead Teachers' College in 1963.
Frances began her teaching career in 1963, with the Board of Education for the City of Port Arthur where she taught at schools including Algonquin, Queen Elizabeth, and St. James. In 1970, she took a leave from teaching to raise her family. When we moved to Kenora in 1977, she began supply teaching and continued to do so when we returned to Thunder Bay in 1984, most of the time at Algonquin, until she retired from Lakehead District School Board in December 2002. She was also a member of the HMCS Griffon from 1962-1965.
Fran married Jim Gamble on March 4, 1967, and together they raised their three children in homes on College Street, Valley Drive (Kenora) and Masters Street. Mom loved her yard, her flowers, and her raspberry bushes from which she made delicious jam. She enjoyed a good book and a nice walk. She was spunky with a great sense of humour, sensitive yet strong, and had a caring heart. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled when she was with her grandchildren who were the light of her life, and Fran's happiest times were spent with them and her children.
Fran went on an amazing four-month adventure in 1964 when she travelled to Europe with a few of her teacher friends. Together we enjoyed family vacations, including several trips to Winnipeg for ice shows, hockey games and more, to Valley Fair in Minneapolis, and a month-long trip to Florida/Disney. Later there were trips to the Wisconsin Dells and Duluth with the grandkids. Fran and Jim also got away on occasion, the hi-light being when they won a trip on a freighter, the Comeaudoc, that took them through the Great Lakes from Thunder Bay to Quebec City in 1985. It was a chance in a lifetime voyage.
Fran will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Gwen (Kevin Grigsby), Bryan of Winnipeg, MB, and Erin Thomson of Calgary, AB; her beloved grandchildren, Michaela Thomson, Elyssa Crowley (Joe), Madisen Thomson, Lea Gamble & Adam Gamble. She is also survived by sisters Marlene Cook, Judy Britt, and Helen Knox, as well as extended family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her parents Steve and Minnie; mother-in-law Beatrice Gamble; son-in-law Mike Thomson; sister Anne Fleming; and many special friends and family members.
We would like to thank the caring and supportive staff at Pioneer Ridge, we couldn't have found a better place for our mom to live these past nine months. A special thanks to Trish, Ilda, and the rest of the staff at Nurse Next Door, who provided wonderful care and friendship to both our parents over the past few years.
Cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial service in the spring when we can all be together. Entombment will occur in Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum located in St. Andrew's Cemetery.
If friends desire, memorial donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, or a Charity of Your Choice.
Mom will live in our hearts forever. We take solace knowing she is reunited with our dad. She missed him dearly since he left us nine months ago, every time she spoke of him, she'd always say "that Jim, he was a good guy." Fran, you were a great girl. (The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal 02 Dec 2023)
Ships served in:
|
