Born January 7, 1944 in Parry Sound, Ontario to Francis Leonard Kirwan and Irene Mary Bradley.
Died April 2, 2020 in Edmonton, AB with Frank by her side.
Frankie is survived by the love of her life of 54 years, Francis (Frank) John Joseph Kelly of Didsbury, her devoted daughters; Kimberley Kelly (Rufus Scrimger) and Kathleen Kelly, and her precious grandsons; Jack and Alex Scrimger, all of Edmonton.
Frankie has three sisters; Sandra Johnston (Ottawa), Judith Kirwan (Ottawa), Elizabeth Ritchie (Toronto), and two brothers; Bradley Ritchie (Ottawa), Randall Ritchie (deceased), and sister-in-law; Joan Crea (Ottawa), along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Frankie taught school in Ottawa and in Calgary for many years and loved every minute of it! She found every day exciting and a joy to work with so many wonderful students from Grades 1 to 6. She made life-long friends during her teaching career who have always been part of her life.
After retiring, she and Frank moved to Didsbury, Alberta and have enjoyed being part of this community. Frankie had been President of the Didsbury Museum and met many interesting people when in this role and also as an avid community volunteer. She loved working at the Museum and her grandsons thought she might even have a bed there! The big “M” (as the family lovingly nicknamed it) kept Frankie’s mind active, allowed her to form wonderful relationships, and provided opportunities to learn, to teach others about history, and to serve her community.
Frankie expressed to her family, over the last few months, that she was truly blessed by her many friends and family and felt fortunate to have lived such a wonderful life.
Cremation has taken place in Edmonton and she will rest in the Didsbury Cemetery. A celebration of Frankie’s well-lived life will be held in Didsbury, Alberta at a later date.
“Good friends are like fancy chocolates, it’s what’s inside that makes them special!”
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Didsbury Museum (PO Box 1175, Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0 or www.didsburymuseum.ca) for the History Book Project or spend time with a friend and go for lunch.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances “Frankie Irene Kelly nee Kirwan April 2 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta