Frances Ruth Clark
1922-2021
Frances Ruth (Armstrong) Clark, in her 99th year, passed away
peacefully on April 22, 2021, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital,
Fredericton, NB. She was born in Saint John, NB, October 30, 1922,
daughter of the late Frank and Ruth (Milne) Armstrong. In addition to
her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Albert J. Clark; son
David A. Clark, and brother A. Douglas Armstrong.
She is survived by and will be sadly missed by her son, Brian
A. Clark (Betty), Crabbe Mountain, NB; granddaughter Zoe Clark and
grandson Max Clark, both in USA; daughter-in-law Dr. Stephanie Brown
Clark, Rochester, NY; cousin Anne Bower (Bob), Toronto; nieces Heather
McWayne and Wendy Cook, Birmingham, AL, and their families, as well as
her special friend Peter Waterhouse, Ste. Annes Court,
Fredericton.
Fran and Albert married in 1948 and raised their boys David
and Brian while Albert served as a JAG officer in the Canadian Armed
Forces. They had postings in Kingston, Ottawa, Barrie and Halifax, and
eventually settled in Fredericton in 1969 after a posting to Base
Gagetown. Fran started to work in real estate just prior to that, and
so continued with that career in Fredericton. She also developed
rental properties in Fredericton and Saint John.
She was blessed with 2 grandchildren, Zoe and Max, who she
loved dearly. She cherished their summer visits at the cottage on the
Kingston Peninsula, and only wished they lived closer so she could see
them more often. Camp Garwoltic was a special place for her. It was
where her far flung family all came to visit in the summers, and where
she loved to paddle her red canoe on the river.
Fran was always physically active. She skied, played
badminton at the YMCA, and taught exercise classes for a time. She
took up the sport of tennis when she was in her forties, and continued
to play regularly until she was 90. From 1989 to 2012 Fran and Al
spent winters in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, enabling her to play
tennis year round. Around the age of 70 she began taking lessons in
International Style Ballroom Dance. She excelled at this and entered
several Pro-Am competitions with her instructor, winning many trophies
and plaques. She and Albert attended group organized dances with their
Florida friends, and went on several dance oriented
cruises.
The game of Bridge was another of Fran’s interests,
and she had regular game nights with friends in both Fredericton and
Daytona Beach Shores. She also attended Friday afternoon drop-in
Bridge at the Stepping Stone Center, until she was about 95 years old.
Brian and Betty are most grateful for the special attention and
assistance of her friends at the Stepping Stone Center. In particular,
we are very grateful to Ken, who made sure Fran was returned home
safely after her games.
In 2015, after Albert passed, Fran moved to Ste. Annes Court
Seniors Residence, where she has been fortunate to live with relative
independence until about 2 weeks ago. That would not have been
possible without the kind support of the staff, and especially her
wonderful and caring support team at Wellness Connections Inc. In
addition, over the past year or so, Fran has had the good fortune of
meeting Peter, a fellow resident. Peter has been a wonderful companion
for her, and the timing could not have been better. With the onset of
Covid-19 and visitor restrictions, Fran was blessed to have someone
special on the inside. Thanks also to the caring medical staff on 4NW
at DECH.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation or
funeral service. At a later date, when opportunity permits, her family
will gather for a celebration of her life. Cremation has taken place
and arrangements are entrusted to McAdam’s Funeral Home. For those who
wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke
Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.
www.mcadamsfh.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frances Ruth Clark 19222021..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick