FRANCES MARIE COLMAN 1923 - 2009 We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing on May 23, 2009 of our beloved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Fran Colman. Survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Ernie, her nine children June Stevens (Dick), Phyllis (PJ) Liscumb (Doug), Dianne Barker (Ed), Spencer (Mary Ellen), Marilyn Ewert (George), Donna Spelay (Ted), Kevin (Brenda), Linda Bymoen (Murray) and Murray (Renee); her eighteen grandchildren Becky Stevens (Dave Laing), Scott Barker (Amanda), Adam Barker, Kirk and Kim Colman, Jordan, Mike and Jenna Ewert, Kristi, Ashleigh and Colman Spelay, Jessica and Travis Colman, Nathan, Mitchell and Josh Bymoen, Taylor and Tyson Colman and four great grandchildren Jaida, Levi and Ruben Barker and Connor Laing. She is also survived by her sister and brothers Josephine Mathieu (George), Graham McMullin (Diana), Merv McMullin (Elma) and Ernie's sister Dorothy Wassick (Red), many nieces and nephews and a world of friends. Fran was born Frances Marie McMullin on January 21, 1923 in Hillcrest, Alberta, the third of six children and moved as a young girl with her family to Proctor, BC. As a young woman, she excelled in all sports; most notably basketball, bowling and fast pitch softball, holding many championship titles. Fran and Ernie were married in Proctor on June 21, 1947. Following Ernie's graduation from UBC, they began raising their family in the Kootenay towns of Salmo and Riondel. In 1966 the family moved to Kamloops. Fran became involved in the Kamloops women's fastball league and played fastball well into her 40's. She enjoyed curling and golf with Ernie. Fran was a long time Kamloops Blazers season ticket holder and an avid curling and hockey fan. Mom was the center of our family. Her love and care for Dad and her pride in and support of all her children was the primary focus of her life. She was truly the 'woman behind the man' who supported Dad in everything he undertook. She was 'Mom's taxi' and the number one supporter of all her children's school, sporting and community activities. Nothing made her happier than to have a houseful of loving people. The automatic response to "What would you like for Christmas, Mom?" was: "To have all my family home". Fran was renowned for her fabulous homemade bread and buns. She baked and sold hundreds of loaves of homemade bread (no breadmaker for Fran!) to raise funds for the first RIH CT scanner. Even when Fran's recipe was used to make buns, the grandchildren's response was always the same: "They're good, but they're not as good as grandma's buns". Mom's enjoyment of the final years of her life were marred by the painful challenges of osteoporosis. She never complained and rather than 'suffer in silence' she always looked for ways to brighten someone's day with a smile on her face and a kind word. Fran will be remembered by her many friends for the warmth with which she and Ernie welcomed people into their home. They lived the phrase 'our home is your home', and their family and friends looked forward to return visits home to 'Colman's Resort'. We already miss you Mom. A Prayer Service for Fran Colman will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. Celebration of Mass will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the BC & Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation, 203-635 Victoria St., Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2B3, the Canadian Cancer Society, Unit 111, 450 Lansdowne St., Kamloops, B.C. V2C 1Y3 or the charity of your choice in memory of Fran. On-line condolences may be expressed at http://www.schoenings.com. Schoening Funeral Service entrusted with arrangements.