Frances
Louise (Bezanson)
Innis
Marion Bridge/Elderbank, Nova
Scotia
With saddened hearts, the family of Frances Innis announces
her passing on Friday, October 26, 2018, at the age of
87.
Born July 16, 1931, in Otter Brook, Colchester County, Nova
Scotia, to parents, Samuel William
Bezanson and Mary Elizabeth (Whalen) Bezanson, Frances was
the ninth of fifteen siblings, and part of a very musical family,
which relocated to Elderbank, Nova Scotia in 1936. The
family’s livelihood consisted of farming and an annual
Christmas tree business. It was in Elderbank that Frances received her
formal schooling and where she spent the early years of her marriage
and motherhood.
Frances, who throughout her life has been affectionately
called Fran, Francie or Frannie, was predeceased by her loving
husband, Chester, who was never far from her thoughts following his
death in 1998. Married December 17, 1947, following
Chester’s return from active service in WW2 and an ensuing
courtship, Fran and her beloved, Ches enjoyed 50 years of marriage and
the raising of three daughters, affectionately known as “the
girls”. Together, they established their first home in Elderbank
until 1963, and then their much loved and visited home in Marion
Bridge, Nova Scotia.
Fran was also predeceased by 11 of her siblings, William,
Ervine, John, Douglas, Lorne, Eileen, Alma, Rosamond, Vera, Shirley
and Freda. She was also predeceased by her grandson, Evan Chester
Martens.
In saying farewell to Frannie, all of us who knew her
acknowledge that we are not only saying good-bye to a daughter,
sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, but
also to a remarkable individual. With her sharp, perceptive mind,
singular memory capacity and wise world-view, she leaves a notable
weave in life’s fabric.
In her life’s work, Frannie specialized in the
domain of the intimate. Home and hearth were her curatorships. It
would be difficult to find another who put as much thoughtful and
compassionate care into the art of creating a home and raising a
family. She was an astute observer of human nature, patient and wise
in her counsel. Frannie placed great value on the importance of
education in children’s lives, and especially as it
pertained to her daughters’ futures. She was very
forward-thinking: aware of and concerned about the world issues of her
time. She believed in justice and doing the right
thing.
Fran was an avid, appreciative observer of the natural world,
especially birds. With her binoculars at hand, she took great pleasure
in observing the comings and goings of wildlife on her property and at
the beautiful Leonard’s Cove in front of her home. Fran was
a formidable Scrabble player and a crossword puzzle aficionado. She
was an accurate keeper of family history and an often humorous teller
of family stories. Her lifelong love of music, dancing and singing was
something she really looked forward to and enjoyed. Fran also always
enjoyed a cup of tea with neighbors and community friends and relished
stimulating conversation. She will be forever
missed.
Fran is survived by her daughters and their families, Chloe
Innis, Calgary, Alberta; Terry (Innis) Martens, husband, Peter
Martens, Medstead, Saskatchewan and their adult children, Gabrielle
Lizotte, Edmonton, Alberta and Jonathan Martens, Medstead,
Saskatchewan; CeLeta (Innis) McDade, partner Daniel R.E. MacMillan,
Albert Bridge, Nova Scotia and CeLeta’s son, Mitchell
McDade, Hubbards, Nova Scotia. Fran is also survived by three
siblings, Harold Bezanson, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Joan McNutt,
Truro, Nova Scotia and Karen Grace, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia and
nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, but you know who you are.
Fran also leaves five great-grandchildren, Blayke and Katelyn Lizotte,
Edmonton, Alberta and Gracie, River and Willow Martens, Medstead,
Saskatchewan.
At Fran’s request, there will be no visitation or
funeral service. Her cremated remains will be laid to rest beside her
husband, Ches at St. Andrew’s United Church cemetery in her
beloved home community of Elderbank, Nova Scotia. The date and time of
her interment will follow at a later date, in the Cape Breton Post and
Chronicle Herald newspapers. All are welcome who wish to attend the
graveside service, followed by a reception at St. Andrew’s.
If unable to attend, the family asks that you celebrate Fran in the
manner that fits your memories of her life.
Memorials in her name can be made to the Canadian Lung
Association or a charity of your choosing.
Frances’ daughters wish to extend a heartfelt
gratitude for all community, medical and palliative support that was
provided for their dear mother in the last years of her life. We would
like to especially thank Pat Hanson for the tender care she gave to
our mother at home before mum joined the wonderfully warm staff at the
MacGillivray Guest Home for the final leg of her
journey.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail
sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Say not in
grief: “She is no more”, but live in thankfulness that she
was.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances Innis 19312018..

Source:

Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Frances Innis 19312018

mortuary notice Frances Innis 19312018