Obituary of DUNBAR – Frances Elizabeth Alberta

October 11, 1923 – August 8, 2009 Frances Dunbar, beloved wife of the late Jack Dunbar of Calgary, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday August 8, 2009 at the age of 85 years. Frances was born and raised in Coleman, AB, the daughter of Mine President Albert Short and Elizabeth Gate and attended St. Mary’s High School in Calgary. She met Jack Dunbar in 1946 while they worked for the Bay and they were married at Scarboro United on May 17, 1947. They moved to the Veterans’ Settlement in Bowness in 1952 and over the next sixteen years, she and Jack worked with the town council, school board and community sports. In 1960, Frances enrolled in the Education program at the U of C and soon after began teaching, choosing the demanding field of special education. She was instrumental in ending the sterilization of those deemed mentally handicapped children and began the implementation of their specialized schooling. During this time she and Jack added a daughter to their growing family of three boys. Taking night courses and attending summer classes, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1972. The family moved to Glendale Meadows in 1968, and Frances continued her work with the CBE until she retired in 1988. Her many success stories with her students included finding them job placements after graduation that many still hold today. After Jack passed away in 1986 she struggled with several infirmities but was a constant pillar for her children. The past ten years saw her rebound from an array of medical crises, always preserving her sharp analytical mind and wit. Frances is survived by her sons, Douglas (Jean), David (Joji) and Iain (Luka) and her daughter Elizabeth (Wade) Anderson, her sister-in-law Dorothy Short of Oakville, ON, and her brother-in-law Douglas Dunbar and wife Pearl of Toronto, ON, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Alan Short and her husband Jack. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Royal Canadian Legion Bowness Branch No. 238 138 Bowness Centre N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 5M5 403-288-4414. In living memory of Frances Dunbar, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.