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January 25, 1925 – March 27, 2020
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Frances Cornwall
FRANCES CORNWALL (née Holowick)
January 25, 1925
March 27, 2020
A longtime resident of Amherstburg, Fran passed away at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa following a brief decline. She was one of seven sisters born in Dauphin, Man. to Michael and Dora (née Todas) Holowick. The wife of the late Webster Cornwall, Fran was predeceased by sisters Leona Lukaniuk, Lillian, Mary Bailey, Margaret Roache and Pat Pracey. She is survived by her sister Helen Austen of Windsor, seven nieces and nephews and Shari Baldwin, her goddaughter.
Along with her mother and sister Helen, Fran travelled to Windsor in 1941 to join other members of the family and then enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1945. A private, she sailed to Britain on the Île de France as part of the cast of the Canadian Army Show’s “Rhythm Rodeo.” Performing in a circus tent for Canadian troops, her roles as a dancer included that of a “cow gal.”
After her discharge from the army, Fran worked briefly as a telephone switchboard operator at Metropolitan Hospital before joining the offices of the Ford Motor Company of Canada as a secretary. She met Web at Ford and they married in 1953.
Fran vigorously embraced many enthusiasms. She was an avid golfer, particularly on the course now known as Fox Glen, and curled at the Windsor Curling Club among other places. Bridge groups were a significant part of her life and she and Web spent much time on the water in various boats. Upholstery and carpentry were among her skills as was gardening, she was particularly fond of roses. Their cottage in Colchester and, later, their house on the Detroit River frequently hosted large family gatherings.
While Fran never pursued a career in dance, she did become a proficient pianist and accompanied many family singalongs.
Her charity work included active participation in the I.O.D.E. and while at Ford she modeled at fashion shows to raise funds.
Fran’s travelling did not end with the war. She roamed throughout North America and Europe and visited China before its current modernization.
The move to the Perley, where her care was provided by exceptional staff and volunteers, reunited Fran with her military past.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Perley and Rideau Foundation, perleyrideaufoundation.ca; the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, windsorhumane.org; or a charity of your choice.
Because of the current circumstances, Fran was buried privately. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Families First 3260 Dougall Ave. South Windsor, 519-969-5841. Share memories at Familiesfirst.ca
January 25, 1925
March 27, 2020
A longtime resident of Amherstburg, Fran passed away at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa following a brief decline. She was one of seven sisters born in Dauphin, Man. to Michael and Dora (née Todas) Holowick. The wife of the late Webster Cornwall, Fran was predeceased by sisters Leona Lukaniuk, Lillian, Mary Bailey, Margaret Roache and Pat Pracey. She is survived by her sister Helen Austen of Windsor, seven nieces and nephews and Shari Baldwin, her goddaughter.
Along with her mother and sister Helen, Fran travelled to Windsor in 1941 to join other members of the family and then enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1945. A private, she sailed to Britain on the Île de France as part of the cast of the Canadian Army Show’s “Rhythm Rodeo.” Performing in a circus tent for Canadian troops, her roles as a dancer included that of a “cow gal.”
After her discharge from the army, Fran worked briefly as a telephone switchboard operator at Metropolitan Hospital before joining the offices of the Ford Motor Company of Canada as a secretary. She met Web at Ford and they married in 1953.
Fran vigorously embraced many enthusiasms. She was an avid golfer, particularly on the course now known as Fox Glen, and curled at the Windsor Curling Club among other places. Bridge groups were a significant part of her life and she and Web spent much time on the water in various boats. Upholstery and carpentry were among her skills as was gardening, she was particularly fond of roses. Their cottage in Colchester and, later, their house on the Detroit River frequently hosted large family gatherings.
While Fran never pursued a career in dance, she did become a proficient pianist and accompanied many family singalongs.
Her charity work included active participation in the I.O.D.E. and while at Ford she modeled at fashion shows to raise funds.
Fran’s travelling did not end with the war. She roamed throughout North America and Europe and visited China before its current modernization.
The move to the Perley, where her care was provided by exceptional staff and volunteers, reunited Fran with her military past.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Perley and Rideau Foundation, perleyrideaufoundation.ca; the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, windsorhumane.org; or a charity of your choice.
Because of the current circumstances, Fran was buried privately. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Families First 3260 Dougall Ave. South Windsor, 519-969-5841. Share memories at Familiesfirst.ca
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3260 Dougall Ave.
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9E 1S6
1065 Lauzon Rd.
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N8S 3M8
2130 Front Rd.
LaSalle, Ontario, Canada N9J 2B9
585 Sandwich St. S.
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada N9V 0E2
895 Ouellette Ave.
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9A 4J5