Dorothy Frances (Fran) Alice Jamieson  (Nee Switzer)

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our sweet Mom, Fran.

Predeceased by her father, William (1961), mother, Alice (1989), sister, Gladys (1995), a son and a daughter, shortly after birth, Lance (1959) and Heidi (1965), husband, John (J.J)(2011) and son-in-law, Pat Spencer, (2013)

Fran is survived by her children, Clint (Kristie), Lenora, Shane (Asha), 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (including the step-kids). She is also survived by brother/sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

William and Alice Switzer moved from Saskatchewan to Victoria, BC, with their eldest daughter, Gladys in 1930. Frances was born and raised in and around the greater Victoria area. Her family moved many times in the early years, living in James Bay, Cordova Bay and finally settling in Oak Bay, where her parents bought a house on Davie Street. Fran attended Saint Christopher’s Primary school for the first couple of years and went to Norfolk House for grades 3 to 9. There she met her friend, Elizabeth Conlon (Nee Oliver). Fran went on to Victoria High School and when she contracted scarlet fever in early spring of 1952 and was unable to graduate with her class, she was invited back a year later to graduate officially in 1953. It was at Vic High she met her longtime friend, Jane Birnie (nee Kinney) Fran was part of the Vic High Alumni and attended many events over the years and sang in the choir for the 125^th Anniversary of Victoria High School.

At Norfolk House, Fran was introduced to the game of field hockey, an interest that carried through into high school and her young adult life. She was still playing after Clint was born. Sea Rangers was another group she became a member of, in her teens and she maintained friendships and attended reunions with these women throughout her life.

Fran continued her education to become a kindergarten teacher and worked at the Mac and Mac’s store, where she met John, and they married on October 1, 1956.

She worked at the BC Tel during the time she had her son, Clint and daughter, Lenora and by the time Shane came along she became an amazing stay-home Mom, raising the children and helping her friend, Mary Stroud run the Children’s House, day care on Lee Ave.

Mom was also a member of the First Baptist Church for many years, where she sang in the choir and sponsored the CGIT group.

Mom worked for a short time at Capitol Iron before starting at the Greater Victoria School District in 1972. Mom loved working for the school district and became active in the union and was on the district safety committee, among others. She worked at Sir James Douglas, Oak Bay High, Mount Doug, the Board Office and Burnside School, before her retirement.

During her time at Mount Doug, Mom became a skilled Audio-Visual Technician and for a couple of years taught a credit course to a small group of keen students wanting to learn about this technology.

When she and Dad became retired “snowbirds”, they headed to Yuma, Arizona every year until 2001. Mom volunteered at a local Yuma elementary school, to teach children English… so she learned Spanish to help her do that.

When it came to her family, Mom went happily along with all the camping trips to Sooke and other camping excursions over the years, even though she was not a keen outdoorsy person. Mom always made it fun and was a good sport about it.

Mom was always devoted to her family and all the friends attached to her children. The house on Pacific Ave always had an open door and if the door was locked, the key was under the mat. Mom fed the masses; all the friends came and went as freely as if this was their own home. Mom always ensured no one left without eating something. And there were the never ending pots of tea. Mom’s cheerful request of anyone entering the house, “Would you like some tea?”  (Usually a plate of digestive cookies was offered as well)

In 1978 Mom and Dad bought property at Cowichan Lake, near Youbou, where they built a cabin and it became the social hub for many gatherings and celebrations, for decades. It even became their retirement home for awhile, until an apartment in Lake Cowichan seemed like a much better idea, with power and laundry services. Mom really was a trouper.

Mom’s favourite role was to be a grandma; Known as “Grandma Fran” to Kyle, Keith, Sara and Daryl, “Muggo” to Ven, Marc, Luke, and many others, “Shmugs” to Ashwini and “G.G.”  for most of the great grandchildren.

Mom’s favourite thing to do after retirement (when not in Arizona), was to come hang out with her grandkids in Victoria, until Dad would phone from Lake Cowichan and say, “I’ll pay the ransom! Send Mom home!”

In the past 10 years of Mom’s life, she came back to Victoria where she first lived at The Cridge and finally made her way to Mount Saint Mary, where she spent the last 4 ½ years. Mom was so well loved and cared for during her time at Mount Saint Mary. The highlight of Mom’s time at MSM was when Sara and Steve got married in the Chapel, in Sept. 2019. The staff helped make it a beautiful day for everyone. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who played a part with Mom’s care, particularly the staff on the Burdett Unit. We are so grateful to all of you.

I am sure many of us have so many fond memories and more stories of Fran (Mom, Muggo, GG, Grandma), and I hope we will hear those stories when we gather to celebrate the life of the sweetest, kindest woman any of us have ever known.

A celebration of Fran’s life was held at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 21, 2022 in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.

If you feel moved to donate something in Fran’s name, please consider a donation to a local children’s charity in your community.  Condolences may be offered to the family below. You may view service recording below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com