With much sadness we announce the passing of our Mom, Fran Pyper. She died peacefully on Aug 27 in her home at Lindenwood Terrace.
She was the second youngest of nine children born to Joseph and Genevieve Reid, sharing this position with her twin brother Frank. They grew up on the family farm in Gladstone, Manitoba and Mom often told us that their home was very modest, but full of love. Mom remained close to her siblings throughout her life and was a pillar of strength in times of need.
She left the farm for Winnipeg in her early twenties to attend Success Business College and ultimately found her dream job at Air Canada. This fostered her adventurous spirit as she fondly spoke of jumping on a plane with co-workers and flying to the Canadian Rockies or Montreal for a weekend of fun.
She was a strong advocate for education and pushed us all to pursue our educational dreams. She believed success could be achieved by setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
She met our Dad at the wedding of a mutual friend, and they were married in October 1955. Their union lasted 62 years until his passing in 2017. Dad’s career took them to Glenboro, Brandon and back to Winnipeg and Mom made lifelong friends along the way.
Throughout their marriage Mom and Dad enjoyed camping with relatives, travelling, and going to the cottage they built together (one of her favourite places on earth). They were members of St Bartholomew Church for over 40 years and it truly was Mom’s home away from home. Their door on Brookhaven Bay was always open to friends and family and Mom was a warm and gracious host. We were all beneficiaries of her fabulous meals, her dinners were amazing, but her desserts were legendary! Her home was beautifully decorated and every summer her yard was adorned with magnificent flowers.
She had an incredible sense of style, always dressed impeccably and she never left home without her hair done and lipstick on (a trait she passed on to her girls!). She was known for her loyalty as a friend, her kindness and compassion was witnessed on countless occasions when she cooked meals, dropped off baking, or offered a ride to anyone in need. She cared for the sick and the vulnerable and always did so quietly and never wanted recognition.
Her greatest love was her family (especially her grandchildren!) She encouraged and supported all of our endeavours and was always our biggest fan. We will forever be indebted to her for all that she did for us.
She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd, parents Joseph and Genevieve Reid, brothers Ken, Harry, Jack and Frank, and her sisters Ada, Florence, Laura and Ethel. She is survived by her daughter Diane and Doug Barr (Myles and Darja, Bryce and Breanna); son Richard and Karen (Shannon, Riley and Matthew Bloom), (Lindsey, Ryan, Theodore and Josephine Kindret), (Braden Pyper and Kristen Lomonaco); daughter Kim and Chad Utterson (Aleah and Avery); as well as sisters-in-law Shirley Reid, Lois Reid, Marie Mooney, Marilyn Harper (Vern) and brother in law Harley Pyper (Sharon), and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Mom’s life will take place Friday, September 6 at 11:00 am at St Bartholomew Anglican Church, 881 Autumnwood Drive. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Mom’s name to CancerCare Manitoba.
Read Less
Tuesday August 27th 2019
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances Pyper..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba