Frances Tomscha
February 12, 1933 – December 23, 2018
TOMSCHA, Frances Isadora (Dunn) died on December 23rd, 2018 in her 85th year. She was born in Dartmouth to the late James Colin and Mary Florence (Walsh) Dunn on February 12, 1933.
She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and took great pleasure tracing her Dunn ancestors to the founding of Dartmouth.
She met her life partner, Frank Tomscha at a church social. According to Frank, it was love at first sight. They set up house at 1 Oak Street, choosing the new high-rise as it had excellent views of Sullivan’s Pond and Halifax Harbour. Sitting on their balcony, a glass of sparkling wine in hand, listening to classical music, what could be better? They travelled much of Europe and most of Canada together, enjoying good food and company along the way.
The middle child of a large family, she learned to argue a point with determination. Known about town as one of the “Dunn girls”, she embraced her red hair and tall frame. She visited often, bringing along food treats, advice and an energy that couldn’t be beat.
She attended St Patrick’s High School and then Mount St Vincent College where she graduated with a B. Sc in Secretarial Science. Her studies led her first to a job with Air Canada sparking her travel bug. Later she assisted Archbishop Hayes in the Archdiocese of Halifax, where she came to know many of the clergy who became lifelong friends.
As part of the first generation of career women in the 1950’s she drove her standard Datsun to Halifax, pitching the bridge toll in the basket with deadly accuracy, barely slowing down. She never missed a fashion beat, bold in nature, she dressed in bright colours and had a hat for every occasion.
Frances was a Liberal with a capital “L”! Election years, red was the colour of the day. She worked tirelessly for provincial and federal candidates trusting them to improve the lives of others. Nothing pleased her more than a good victory.
Frances would have been an awesome mother-she absolutely adored children. Luckily her family provided her with numerous nieces and nephews and her friends with Godchildren. As each child came along she did her best to help the young parents and knew just how to make the child feel special. Frances and Frank arriving with food treats and sparkling wine marked most of our milestones.
In later years as Frank struggled with his health she was by his side allowing him to live his life to the fullest. As her own health failed she did not go gently. Each step in her decline was met with resistance. She finally found peace in long term care at Parkland where the staff treated her with dignity.
Left to mourn are her sister Anna (Joe D) Campbell, sisters in law, Sally (Kevin) Dunn, Eve (Len) Allen, brother-in law Colin (Alayne) Boxall, many nieces and nephews and their children.
She was predeceased by two brothers in infancy, her siblings Kevin (Sally), Paul and wife Pauline, Alayne (Colin) Boxall, Michael and Christine.
Visitation is Friday Dec 28, 4:00-7:00 pm, in Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen Street, Dartmouth. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 29, 10:00 a.m. at St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Dartmouth, Father Jim Richards, celebrant. Donations can be made to St Vincent de Paul or Feed Nova Scotia. Online condolences by visiting www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca
SERVICES
Visitation
Friday, December 28, 2018
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dartmouth Funeral Home
29 Queen Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1E9
Funeral Mass
Saturday, December 29, 2018
10:00 AM
St. Peters Roman Catholic Church
10 Maple Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2X3
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances Tomscha February 12 1933 December 23 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia