January 7, 1953 to July 27, 2022
Frances Carolyn Ritchie of Olds, Alberta passed away unexpectedly on July 27, 2022 at the age of sixty-nine. Frances was born in Toronto, Ontario on January 7, 1953 to Julian A. and Margaret (nee: Smith) Ritchie.
An only child, Frances was predeceased by her parents and her Uncle & Aunt, Dick & Pat Ritchie. She leaves behind her first cousin, Peter Ritchie, his wife, Areni and their son Wojamo (Rachel) and their two daughters Ciara and Rochelle. Frances is also survived by one second cousin, Alastair (Jacky) Swan of Humberside, England.
Following High School, Frances attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Graduating with her Bachelor of Arts – Psychology in 1975, followed by her Teacher’s Certificate/Bachelor of Education Degree from the Ontario Teacher Education College in 1976. Frances went on to add Music Vocal and Special Education to her list of qualifications. Frances’ first teaching contract, with The York County Board of Education (Ontario), began on September 1, 1976. Over the course of her twenty-nine year teaching career, thirteen years of which were in Special Education, Frances taught at Sutton Public School in Sutton West, Ontario and at Rogers Public School in Newmarket, Ontario. Frances retired from teaching in June, 2005.
One of Frances’ most memorable roles as a teacher was no doubt homeschooling Peter and Areni’s two older children in Angola, on three different occasions, and helping with some aspects of home-schooling their youngest, Rochelle, during their stints in Olds.
While growing up in Toronto, Frances enjoyed numerous extracurricular activities, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, bowling, skating and horseback riding. Frances also spent many hours enjoying a variety of hobbies, including baking, reading, sewing, crafts and music. One of Frances’ great loves was singing in choirs, which she participated in throughout public school, her university years and beyond! This included involvement with musical theatre while at McMaster University, including productions such as The Wizard of Oz, Pirates of Penzance, Wheels and The Magi.
Frances also put her hand to several other roles prior to and during her university years, including the sorting and inspection department for a printing firm in Toronto, working in customer service for a card company, and several summers with Canada Permanent Trust, also in Toronto.
Frances was a tireless volunteer. Many in Ontario and Alberta have grown to know of her willingness to volunteer her time and her diverse abilities, whether as a Library Helper at the local library in Olds, assisting Suzi Neufeld at the Olds Hospital Hair Salon, or acting as both Secretary and President of the Legacy Village Social Group. Where Frances was most active, though and where she will be sorely missed, was at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Olds). Frances’ efforts were intricately woven throughout the fabric of her church family. There were very few roles that she did not, at one point or another, take on. Frances’ commitment to the Presbyterian Church in Canada began as a young girl growing up attending (and volunteering) at Cooke’s Presbyterian Church in Toronto. After Frances’ teaching career began, she continued her committed volunteerism at St. Andrew’s in Sutton West, Clairlea in Scarborough and lastly, her many years of service at St. Andrew’s in Olds where she had moved in order to be closer to her Aunt Pat, in 2005 and where - with the exception of a short time in Three Hills – she lived until her recent Passing.
There is no question the indelible mark Frances left on her family, friends, colleagues and students will live on in their memories. Though we mourn the too-early Passing of “Auntie” Frances, we know she is resting in the Loving Arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Memorial Tributes in Frances’ memory may be made to Samaritan’s Purse Canada, HART (Humanitarian Aid Response Team) in Calgary (*Ukraine Relief) or to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Olds.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (5038 49 St., Olds, Alberta) on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with a time of light refreshments to follow in the Church basement.
“Rejoice in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4
