Obituary of Mary Frances Metcalfe

Surrounded by the love of her family and good friends, Frances Metcalfe was called home by the Lord on March 1, 2014, at the age of 74 after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. First and foremost, Fran (née Mary Frances Doiron) was all about family, and she credited her upbringing and exceptional parents for that family focus. She began her life in Acadie Siding, N.B., the second of 13 children of Eddie and Alvina (Morton) Doiron. She moved to Saint John at a young age for work where she met and married her husband, Bob, in 1965. Even after starting her own family, Fran always kept in close touch with her brothers and sisters and she and Bob would spend the summers with many of them in Bedec, N.B., on Richibucto Bay. Fran was the centrepiece for her immediate family, the first person her children would seek out to help work out a problem, or simply to chat. Later in life, her five beloved&sp;grandchildren, Dawson, Patrick, Haley, Iris and Elliot brought her immense joy. She loved to spend time with them, playing and attending their activities. She created a wonderful home for her husband and children, and her cooking was something not to be missed. Fran had exceptional life skills and wisdom and people would turn to her for advice. She had a heart of gold, and that was obvious to everybody who knew her. She was loved and admired by a large group of friends, all of whom mourn her loss with her family. Whether it was her immediate family or extended family or simply a friend in need, it didn’t matter how busy she was, Fran was the first person to step up and offer her time and energy. Her charity work was boundless, and whenever the church needed somebody to organize an event or co-ordinate a supper, Fran was at the top of the list. She had the ability to get things done, to organize and lead a group, and that ability made her an invaluable resource for the many groups that would call upon her. She was an active member of the women's society of St. Matthew Catholic church in Grand Bay-Westfield. She was a longtime volunteer for many charitable ventures and community organizations, and talked often to her children about the importance of helping others. Before having children, Fran worked as a nurses' aide at St. Joseph's Hospital, and many of the friendships with the nurses and other aides she made during that time continued throughout her life. Fran went back to work after her children were grown, spending 17 years as a bilingual dietary assistant at the Workers' Rehabilitation Centre in Grand Bay. She retired in 2009. Her family is her greatest legacy, and they will miss her every day. She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Robert (Bob) G. Metcalfe, formerly of Martinon and now of Grand Bay-Westfield. Her children will be forever influenced by her guiding hand and love: Catherine Metcalfe and her husband David Ritchie, of Hamilton, Ont.; Donald Metcalfe and his wife Susan Metcalfe, of Quispamsis; Heather Gosse and her husband Paul Gosse, of Columbus, Ohio; and R. Andrew Metcalfe and his wife Christine Hanlon, of Saint John. Her grandchildren surrounded her with love and they made her very happy. She will be remembered always by Dawson Metcalfe, Patrick Gosse, Haley Metcalfe, Iris Metcalfe and Elliot Metcalfe. Her siblings and sisters- and brothers-in-law will miss her constant presence and love in their lives: Gladys Caissie (Edmond) of Rogersville; Alice Whalen (late Harry) of Moncton; Robert Doiron (late Barbara) of Waltham, Mass.; Noreen Mancuso (Thomas) of Milbury, Mass.; Mildred Leger (Fernand) of Billerica, Mass.; Ralph Doiron (Rejeanne) of Quispamsis; Eugene Doiron (Jeanne) of Quispamsis; Sheila Hebert (Ronald) of The Villages, Fla.; Irene Sullivan (Roger) of Quispamsis; Larry Doiron (Jacqueline) of Calgary, Alta.; and Sharon Lemon (Brent) of Quispamsis Fran was predeceased by her parents and her beloved sister Bernice LeBlanc and brother-in-law Leo-Paul LeBlanc. She was loved by and will be remembered by 20 nieces and nephews and her aunts and cousins. Fran's last days were made comfortable by the outstanding staff of Bobby's Hospice in Saint John, and the Metcalfe and Doiron families are grateful for their comfort and care. In lieu of flowers, Fran's family asks that you make a donation to Bobby's Hospice to help it continue its work, comforting families during their difficult days of loss. Resting at Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, West Saint John (634-7425) with visiting on Tuesday, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM and Wednesday, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Matthew’s Church, Grand Bay- Westfield, on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at 11:00 AM. As we mourn the loss of Fran, we are grateful for her life and all she taught us.