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LOIS FRANCIS Thursday, December 18, 2014, Lois passed at Grace Hospital, aged 82. Lois was born and raised in Winnipeg except for a four-year hiatus when her family moved to Regina. She was fourth of five children of Isabel (nee Herriot) and John Finlay MacDuff. She was predeceased by her parents; three brothers, Keith, William and Robert; sisters-in-law Stella, Lois, and Viola Griffiths, and brothers-in-law George Dumontet, Wilfred Clear, and Richard Francis. She is survived by her husband Jack; sons Paul (Kathy) and Marc; grandchildren Lisa and Joel; sister Joan Dumontet of Winnipeg; sisters-in-law Wilna MacDuff of Carleton Place, ON, Ann Moses of Calgary, Elaine Duncan of Williams Lake, BC, and many wonderful nephews and nieces, and great-nieces and nephews. Lois attended Sacred Heart Academy in Regina and St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg before attending the Manitoba Technological Institute and the University of Winnipeg. It was at MTI that she met Jack, her great love, and they were married the following year, 1951 at St. Mary's Cathedral. Together for over 63 years, Lois and Jack shared everything and supported one another in all their endeavours. They also pursued together their many interests: their faith, education, travel, the arts and creative writing. Lois worked for seven years for the Free Press Weekly, attaining the position of magazine editor before leaving the workforce to raise a family, sons Paul and Marc. She continued to free-lance from home for the next 15 years, including a commissioned biography of Winnipeg business magnate, Walter Kane, which was published in nine episodes in the Free Press Weekly. Later she returned to work for the CBC Public Relations Department, as Manitoba editor of the CBC Times Magazine, and later as publicist and public relations officer. Following early retirement in 1986, Lois continued her education at St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba, St. Benedict's Education Centre and the University of Winnipeg, earning certificates in Scripture, Christian Formation, Spiritual Direction and Theology. In 1996, she assisted friend Velma Harland in her counselling practicum to edit a book of personal stories by graduates of The Family Program at Christie House. The book, called If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes, addressed the heartbreaking, and sometimes harrowing effects of addiction on family members. The book was published by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, which operates Christie House; subsequently Lois and Velma were honoured by a co-nomination for the Woman of the Year award in 1997. (They didn't win but felt keenly honoured to be nominated) As an advocate of life-long learning, Lois took many courses with Creative Retirement Manitoba, and helped co-edit, with Jack, the organization magazine for several years, and she edited several anthologies for the Winnipeg Senior Citizens Writers Workshop. On the church front, Lois took part in various ministries, including Parish Pastoral Council, the Renew Program, The Catchumenate (RCIA) Re-Membering Church and on-going Scripture programs, which lasted until her death. Donations may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6. Mass will be held Friday, January 2, 2015 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Ave. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2014
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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My family's heartfelt condolences go out to Jack and the Francis family. I feel truly blessed and honoured to have known her all my life and how she helped guide my spirituality at St. Paul's. My mom remembers Lois's kind words when my dad passed a year ago. The world has lost a great light in the darkness. Lois you will be missed. - Posted by: The Peterson Family - Jason, Donna, Anthony, Bailey, and Adele (Life Long Friends) on: Jan 02, 2015
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she will certainly be missed by My Parents & the rest of the bridge group that she played bridge with, my condolences to her husband Jack & the rest of her family she will also be remembered as a good bridge player by those who played bridge with her including the Pat & Christine Gannon. - Posted by: Trevor Walker (Friend) on: Dec 28, 2014
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I am the eldest of eight siblings, and Lois and Jack were always kind to all of us children. When I moved back to Winnipeg from Selkirk with my two children, aged ten and five in 1976, they took me into their home for two weeks while I looked for a job, a car and an apartment. Lois drove me around Winnipeg in search of those items. Lois was a very caring person, and she was not afraid to get her hands dirty. I know that she even cleaned toilets at the Friendship Centre on Main Street for a time. She will be sadly missed by our family. - Posted by: Vivian Ward-Golletz (Niece) on: Dec 27, 2014
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Lois and Jack were very gracious hosts to Muriel and I during a brief stop over in Winnipeg enroute home to Kincardine, Ont. We did not have very long to get really acquainted but Lois certainly gave us an excellent snapshot of involvement in Adult Learning. My condolences to Jack and family. - Posted by: John F.Kirby (Distant cousin of her husband Jack Francis) on: Dec 25, 2014
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Our deepest sympathy to you Jack and your family members. We were so sorry to learn of Lois's passing. She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Lois. - Posted by: Mike and Helen McSween (Friends) on: Dec 25, 2014
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We were saddened to hear the passing of a good friend, Lois. Presently we are visiing in Ottawa and will not be present for her funeral. Our thoughts are with you Jack. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. - Posted by: Janet & Paul Zubec (Friends) on: Dec 24, 2014
