Obituary of Frances (Fran) Collins

February 3, 1948 - Oxbow, Saskatchewan

December 24, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Fran Collins (nee Pearson), beloved wife of Gustave (Ronald) Collins, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2022, at the age of 74 years.

Fran was born in Oxbow, SK, on February 3, 1948. She graduated from the Bienfait School with her high school degree.

Fran served in the Canadian Navy from 1965-1967, something she was very proud of. She was a stay-at-home mother from 1968, while her children were growing up. Fran then was the accountant for their business Raven Electric. Fran married Ronald Collins in 1969.

Family was everything to Fran. It was important to her to have family contact daily. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, Damien and Kristen, while they were growing up. Then, she spent as much time as she could with her great-grandchildren, Seann, Teagan, Riley, George, and Noah. She got to meet her other two great-grandchildren who live in England, UK, and was very grateful for that.

Fran enjoyed walking everywhere! She walked more than anyone we know. She loved being a part of the Pooch Walk and loved the attention she received from all the dogs and her beloved cat, Mr. Tom. Fran enjoyed being out of the house, visiting and living life spending time with her sisters and in-laws as much as she could.

Fran's three most memorable vacations were Hawaii, England (three times) and Vietnam, she loved to see the sites. Of the three destinations, Vietnam was the most interesting and Fran loved everything she saw and did.

Fran will be remembered for her incredible strength and tenacity. Her zest for life and desire to live life to the fullest. Fran’s love for her family knew no bounds and she was always there to help in anyway she could. She will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Besides her loving husband Ronald Collins, Fran is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Kevin Byrne of Calgary, AB; son Christopher Ronald Collins of Calgary, AB, six grandchildren, Damien (Katherine) Downham of Calgary, AB, and Kristen Collins Witwer of Houston, TX, and Cameron, Liam, Katherine, and Mackenzie Byrne, all in England; and seven great-grandchildren, Mia Hersh of London, England, Andrew Byrne of Haywards Heath, England, Seann Norris, Teagan Downham, Riley Downham, George Downham, and Noah Downham all of Calgary, AB.

Fran is also survived by her three sisters, Vanda Petts of Calgary, AB, Anne Elliott of Victoria, BC, and Gail Thillmann of Victoria, BC; "the Collins Clan" (in-laws, nieces and nephews), and her nieces and nephews of the "Pearson family".

Fran was predeceased by her mother Helene Emily Burton (formerly Pearson, nee Bell), father Merle Pearson, brother William Burton, and two brothers-in-law, Peter Petts, and Stephen Elliott.

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. 

Thank you to all family and friends who supported Fran during her six-year battle with cancer. She was a fighter until the end and was grateful to all those who were a part of her life.

In living memory of Fran, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.