Fran Ollinger

It is with profound sadness that we inform you that Fran Ollinger has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Fran passed away at home with family by her side. Fran was brave and strong throughout her fight; she never waivered from her positive attitude, with thoughts of still planting her garden and spending time with family and friends on warm afternoons in her backyard.

Fran was born and raised on a farm in Saskatchewan. She was the youngest of 20 children. She spent her childhood helping out on the farm, and in her late teens, she helped care for her sick mom. After Fran left the farm, she lived her life to the fullest; travelling and working before marrying and settling in Red Deer, Alberta where she raised a family and continued to work hard. Fran loved sharing stories of all the places she had been, all the places she had worked, and all the beautiful people that came into her life. She seemed fearless and was always up for an adventure! Fran often expressed how grateful she was for her full, wonderful life and had no regrets.

Fran was strong, compassionate, and selfless. She was the most genuine person – you always knew exactly how she felt and always said what was on her mind. She was a force! Anyone that knew Fran will remember her magnificent hugs. They were so full of love and so strong that they honestly sometimes hurt! She was full of life, feisty and hilarious even right up to her last days. Oh, and she loved her naps! Curling up in the sunshine was one of Fran’s favorite things and she was a little angry if this was ever interrupted.

Fran appreciated the simple things in life. She loved music and dancing around her kitchen. She loved her backyard, her garden, and her beautiful flowers. She loved to sit and listen to the birds and truly enjoyed peace and quiet. Her backyard was her sanctuary. She took so much pride in her ability to grow the most delicious tomatoes and would often share her harvest with family, friends, and neighbors. She would also share her homemade buns; she was known to many as the “Best Bun Maker in the World.” Walking into their house, you were often met with the most amazing smell of baking and cooking. She also made the best perogies, cabbage rolls, nanaimo bars and lemon meringue pies!

Fran loved and adored her grandchildren. She lit up whenever they came for a visit. She loved to chase them up and down the hallway, read to them, and was always up for playing games. She was so proud of them all.

Fran was vibrantly full of life. We will miss her energy, but also her beautiful perspective. She had this incredible way of never letting a blessing go unnoticed. You could hear her offering up a 'thank you' to God for the things most of us forget to cherish. The luxury of running water, the help of a washing machine, or the simple comfort of sliding into clean, crisp bed sheets. And always calling out to her having “the BEST little family in the whole world.” She taught us that nothing is too small to be grateful for, and that a life well lived is built on those tiny, beautiful moments of appreciation.

Fran’s love of life and kind heart brought so many people close to her. Her laughter and smile were contagious. She truly had an extraordinary impact on everyone that came into her life.

Fran leaves behind her loving partner Andrew, who was by her side day in and day out right up until she passed, her daughter Nicole, son Cory, son in-law Nathan, daughter in-law Daisy, as well as her grandchildren Kate, Grace, and Greyson.

A celebration of life will be held late spring when we can all be outside surrounded by an abundance of flowers and feel the warm sunshine on our faces.

Fran will be missed by so many forever.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday.”

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Fran Ollinger, please visit our Tree Store.