Stella Frances "Fran" Forman – 101, Debert. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Fran Forman. Fran was a lifelong resident of Debert. She was born on Debert Mountain during the Spanish Flu Pandemic and moved to the community of Debert in the early 1940s. She was working at a restaurant in Debert when she met the love of her life, Paul, who worked for MTT, and they married in 1944.
Fran was a founding member of Debert Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary, an Explorer’s leader, lifetime member of Debert United Church and UCW, member of Senior Games, Debert Military Museum and Honourary ICU nurse. She was always volunteering for her community and finally retired at age 97.
Fran was a loving mother and grandmother who was always willing to help wherever she could. Her grandchildren will fondly remember their times with her – she was always willing to play cards, teach them to cook and was always up for anything fun. She was a wonderful cook with her fried chicken and lemon pies being family favourites, and her homemade rolls were second to none.
She was very quiet and soft spoken but there were many times she would amuse her grandchildren with her awesome sense of humour. Anyone who has met her is sure to have great stories of things she’s done and said. While her last couple of years were definitely a struggle, she kept her sense of humour right to the end.
Fran cared for her father and mother when they were ill, her husband who had ALS, 24/7 at home until his passing, her daughter Jeannie until her passing as well as her sister-in-law and good friend, Jean Slack and neighbours, Doris, Inez and Ches in their times of need. She was always the first to offer help anyone that needed it.
Fran is survived by her daughter-in-law, Dawn Forman; daughter, Helen (David) Cole; sons, Ralph (Betty) Forman, Phillip (Maria) Forman; grandchildren, Adeane Marshall, Leonard Forman, Timothy Forman, Amelia (Sean) MacDonald, Dalena (Chris) Hamilton, Naomi Cole, Corey (Morgan) Forman, Adam Forman, Chana Williams, Sara (Cory) Alexander, Caitlyn (Will) Johnstone; 12 great grandchildren; many others that she considered her extended family. Fran was predeceased by her husband, Paul; daughter, Frances Jean "Jeannie"; son, David Paul; brothers, Joseph (Jean), Lloyd (Dorothy); sisters, Dorothy (Lewis) Barnhill, Lois (Jack) Nissen; sister, Grace in infancy; parents, Leonard and Stella (Totten) Slack; in-laws, Winfield (Colombe) Forman, Homer (Theresa) Forman, Evangeline (George) Murphy, Yvonne (Art) Norman.
While we are sad that she is gone, we all have wonderful memories of everything that she did for her family and community. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous friends. Memories of this amazing matriarch who lived just shy of her 102 years will be passed on to those too young to remember her.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Fran’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021, and funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Reverend Valerie Kingsbury officiating. Interment in Folly Mountain Cemetery. (Please note that proof of double vaccination and photo identification will be requested prior to entry to the funeral home for visitation and funeral service, and masks must be worn at all times; thank you for your co-operation and understanding.) Family flowers only. If so desired, donations in Fran’s memory to ALS Society of Nova Scotia or Debert Fire Brigade are welcomed. Webcasting of the funeral service will be available at 1:55 p.m., Wednesday, October 20, 2021, and will remain on this website for some time. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Fran’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com