Frances Bernice Ellard

It is with great sadness that we, the family of Frances (Fran) Ellard, late of Christina St., announce her peaceful passing at Hogarth Riverview Manor, on January 23, 2018, at the age of 99.

Mom was born Frances Bernice Guerard on December 23, 1918 to Harold and Ada Guerard, whose families were pioneer residents of Port Arthur, Ontario. She attended Prospect School, then Port Arthur Collegiate, and soon met George Ellard at Loon Lake Ontario, where both the Ellard and Guerard families had summer camps. Mom and Dad married on July 18, 1940, but soon Dad enlisted, and was off to serve Canada in World War II. With her husband away, Mom stoically raised their first child on her own, for the next four years.

George and Fran had three children - Judy (Gord Pinner), Bob (Barbara) and Don (Kathy). They were lovingly devoted to one another, and to raising their children, ensuring that they had a happy, loving, and secure home life. For social activity, Mom and Dad attended many events at the Fort William and Port Arthur Armories, with other WW ll veterans and their spouses. They also loved to square dance and participated with several square-dancing groups. They loved square dancing so much that they would set up for two squares and have parties in their own home, or even on their dock at Loon Lake.

Mom always found time for her clubs with her friends, some of whom she had known since childhood. Never idle, she liked to knit, crochet and do several crafts. Following her mother’s passing, she learned to weave on her mother’s loom, and became a member of the Thunder Bay Weavers’ Guild. For many years, Mom also volunteered, helping disabled children learning to swim. Mom was a devoted member of First Church United, and she often volunteered, and at one time helped out in the Children’s’ Nursery, along with other volunteers.

With all her community, and family activities, Mom’s favourite times were those spent at Loon Lake, where her family, and Dad’s family, had camped for two generations before her. She always had a project on the go, whether it was cleaning the boathouse for the third time in a week, caring for her flowers, or making sure all the boats were secured. – Loon Lake was her special place – especially when her kids and grandkids were around. In her latter years, it was a challenge for her to stay overnight at Loon, but she loved her day trips and always wanted to drive around the lake to see who was there, and always had a genuine interest in what was going on at Loon.

Mom is survived by her three children, daughter Judy (Gord Pinner) of Thunder Bay, son Bob (Barbara) of Canmore, Alberta, son Don (Kathy) of Thunder Bay. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, David Pinner, Janice Young, Ben Ellard, Brie Ellard-Jedlic, Adrienne Ellard, James Ellard, Jacquie Forbes and Kim Hewitt. She also has thirteen great grandchildren and one step great granddaughter. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Ursula Lowe of Sydney, BC and several nieces and nephews. She will also be sadly missed by her God daughter, Kathy Stefanato, and many faithful friends.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, George in 1979, her parents Harold and Ada Guerard, her brother Bob Guerard, her brother Ted Guerard and his wife Joy, her twin sisters and their husbands, Jackie and John Ferguson, and Gerry and Ken Clark, her parents-in-law, Henry and Ellen Ellard, her brother and sister-in-law, Walter Ellard and Margaret Ellard-Irwin, as well as two nieces and two nephews.

Mom was always there for us - guiding us, inspiring us, encouraging us and loving us. We are very proud and blessed to have had her in our lives. She will be missed, but our happy memories will live on.

Our family is grateful to the staff and residents at Sister Leila Greco, Dawson Court, and Hogarth Riverview Manor for their care and companionship.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held at a future date - when the flowers are blooming, and the fish are biting at Loon Lake.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the charity of your choice in Mom’s name.