Obituary of Frances Isabel Ekvall

November 6, 1931 - Beaumont, Alberta

January 7, 2025 - Calgary, Alberta

Frances Ekvall (nee Lambert) died in Calgary, AB, on January 7, 2025, at the age of 93 years. She was born in Beaumont, AB, in a small bilingual farming community with many aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby. Growing up on the farm, Frances had a lifelong love of horses and embraced the peace of being in nature. In the 1940s, the local school on Uncle Joe’s farm burned to the ground and the three young Lambert girls had to move to Morinville, AB. Frances lovingly supported her younger sisters, Lauraine and Jacquie in the boarding school there. She then moved on to high school in Edmonton and boarded at the FCJ Convent. On Christmas Eve 1949, their house was moved to Edmonton where the next chapter of their life began.

Frances met Herb Ekvall through her cousins, and in 1950 they were married at St. Anthony’s Church in Edmonton at the ages of 19 and 25. They lived in Devon, AB, and their first-born Dennis, came in 1951 with Monica arriving in 1952. Herb’s work in oil and gas took them to Estevan, SK in 1956, with a 3-month-old baby Elaine, a toddler Monica, and young Dennis. Their son Vincent was born in Estevan in 1962 and in 1966, they moved to Regina, SK. She obtained her Real Estate License in the late 1960s, and she worked for a pioneering, all-female agency – Frances Olson Realty.  Both Herb and Frances shared a high regard for the value of giving to their communities, and they were actively involved as volunteers. A shining star in Frances’ volunteer life was her role as the Girl Guide Provincial Leader in Saskatchewan, where she shared her love of camping, and taught young girls her appreciation for the beauty in nature and the value of friendships.

In 1971, they moved to Calgary, AB with Elaine and Vincent, leaving Dennis and Monica in Regina to continue at university. Once settled in Calgary and after Frances graduated with her Secretarial Certificate from the Southern Institute of Technology, they were blessed with their fifth child Christine, in 1975.

With a keen sense of adventure and curiosity, Frances reinvented herself many times in her life. From loving sister, mother, auntie, grandmother, and great-grandmother to realtor, secretary, and professional artist. After graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design with a painting diploma in 1987, Frances began her professional life as a painter, and she jumped in with both feet to find like-minded artists and friends. She had many solo and group exhibitions and was referenced in publications from 1990 to 2016. Frances was an Advisory board member for both The Muttart and The New Gallery, and she was juried into the Alberta Society of Artists in 1994. She received awards from the Alberta Art Foundation and Alberta Culture Travel Grants from 1986 to 1989. Frances’ art-related travels and art culture study took her around the world from 1985 to 2003. She painted prolifically until the age of 90.

Frances was dedicated to her Catholic faith. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for over 35 years, and she volunteered by making sandwiches for Inn from the Cold, for as long as she was able. Her beliefs helped her to find peace at the time of her passing and to make sense of her daughter Monica’s death, in 2020.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very dear to her, and they always brought a bright smile to Frances’ face. Her special visits with the Roeder boys helped keep her young in her later years. Her older grandchildren stayed in touch through personal visits, postcards and phone calls. Some of them had the privilege of sharing time painting with Grandma in her Studio Gallery 5835.

Frances’ friends talk of her life well-lived, unabashedly in her own way, with quick-witted humour, courage, insightful wisdom, kindness, and compassion. She will be missed and lovingly remembered always in our hearts.

Frances is survived by her four children, Dennis Ekvall (Shirley) of Kelowna BC, Elaine Munce (Calvin Dmytar) of Calgary AB, Vincent Ekvall (Mary) of Calgary AB, Christine Roeder (Michael) of Calgary AB; eleven grandchildren, Michelle Ekvall, Laura Hit, Lauren Southwick, Adam, Ginny, Connor, Steven and Julia Ekvall, and Griffin, Jasper and Eli Roeder; great-grandchildren, Grace and Joah Hit; as well as her nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Frances is also survived by her sister Jacqueline Moody of Edmonton, AB.

Frances was predeceased by her daughter Monica Ekvall, her niece Lori Hazzard, her sister Lauraine Hazzard, and her parents, Anne Marie and Phillippe Lambert. 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Han and all the wonderful staff at Wentworth Manor for their tender care and compassion. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive NW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Brenda Strafford Foundation, 4628 Montgomery Blvd NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 0K7, Telephone: 403-444-7222, www.thebsf.ca.

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

In living memory of Frances Ekvall, 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.

Click Here to view the folder for Frances Ekvall