Obituary of Frances Harding Speechley

1929-2024

Frances Speechley (nee Smith), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the age of 94 years.

Frances was born at home in the late summer on her father’s Empire Loyalist family farm in Charlotteville, Norfolk Co, ON. She was the second child of her Scottish-born mother and the fourth child of her father’s. Her family moved from the farm to Brantford, ON in 1937 where her father died a year later having suffered for years from a Mustard Gas attack in WWI. France's mother was left to care for her aging mother-in-law and four children and took work as a tailor.

As a child, Frances loved to play outdoors. Uncommon for girls of her time, she played sports like baseball and swam in the river. She often commented that in the summer her knees would be dirty from playing marbles or running about and referred to herself fondly as, “a bit of a tomboy.” In her late teens, she worked on the switchboard at The Bell Telephone Co. in Brantford, an accomplishment she was extremely proud of.

At a street parade the day WWII ended, Frances met the love of her life, Albert Speechley. She was 14. “He winked at me, and I thought well, forget it, but my sister said he was in her class and was really nice and we begged my mum to let me go out with him.” It was truly a love match and, once her mum did let her (at sixteen), they dated until they were married at the Anglican Church in Brantford in 1949. Shortly after, they boarded a train to Edmonton, where Al had taken a job with Texaco. The job took them all over Alberta and Saskatchewan until they finally settled in Haysboro in Calgary where, despite lifelong homesickness for Ontario, she would live for the next nearly 60 years. They also lived in Houston, Texas and in London, England. In retirement she and Al traveled extensively around the world until his death in 1997. Frances often said that she would never marry anyone else because she knew how good she had it.

Frances was honest and kind, a dedicated mother, grandmother, and a devoted wife. She was a great friend, often anticipating needs and putting others ahead of herself. She had friends worldwide, and spent time volunteering with the Calgary YMCA, the Anglican Church, the Children’s Hospital in Houston and a clothing center for women.

She had a great sense of humour, curiosity and stubbornness. She delighted in wild, interesting people, especially if they had a good story to tell. She was a talented and adept homemaker, who was proud of her house and committed to caring for her family. She loved to cook, bake, sew and knit and was passionate about her garden. She enjoyed reading novels and kept up on politics in the daily newspaper. Frances had many pets over the years and adored spending time in the natural world birding, camping, and fishing. Her love of games would carry through her life with swimming, bowling, bingo, and winning a yo-yo championship. She never missed her chance to gloat a bit when she won the card game that she had just taught you.

Frances spent the last thirteen years of her life living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Much of this time was spent in care where her lively spirit and strength was often noted by caregivers. Her daughter Catherine and son-in-law George, and granddaughters, Emily and Laura (and their families) took an active role in her care. Frances died peacefully with Emily and Anglican Rev. Jarrod McCormack by her side. Her family are immensely thankful for the unparalleled loving care provided to her and to them by the staff at Intercare Southwood Care Centre.

Frances is survived by her daughter Catherine and son Owen; grandchildren, Jeff (Jessica), Emily (James), Laura (Matthew); great-grandchildren, Hugo, Benjamin and Fionn; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their children. She is predeceased by her husband Albert, son-in-law George, mother Mary, father Frank, siblings, Dorothy, Beverley, Basil, Mona and Barbara; and many beautiful human and animal friends.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Frances’s family here.

In living memory of Frances Speechley, 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.