Frances Wilkshire

Died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Predeceased by her beloved husband of 61 years, Michael, and grieved by her loving children, Claire (Larry) and Nick (Tanya); cherished grandchildren Matt, Kate (Alex), Ben, Tim, and Sal (Julia); great-grandson Crew, nieces and nephews; much-loved cousin Jocelyn Williams (Michael); amazing friend Andrée Thoms.

Frances was born in Twickenham, UK, on August 7, 1939. After school, she worked at various jobs (including being an au pair for one of the Peugeot brothers in Paris) before training at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in London. Her brief stint as a nurse ended when she decided to attend the University of Birmingham. There, Frances obtained her bachelor’s degree in French and Italian and met the love of her life, Mike. After university, she and Mike married and settled in Weston-super-Mare, UK, where they taught and had their first child, Claire. A couple of years later, they packed their little family up and set out on a grand adventure, arriving in Newfoundland in 1966 for Mike’s two-year contract at Memorial University. Nick was born two years later, and Frances soon joined Mike in the French Department, where they remained as professors for three decades.

A devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Frances was also an accomplished professor. She was part of a rich network of colleagues and friends at Memorial University, and Frances and Mike enjoyed attending and hosting dinners and parties over the years with those friends. Among her many interests, Frances enjoyed music, literature, good food (she and Mike loved to cook), art, and travel. Athletic as a girl, she remained active in adulthood and enjoyed hiking and various sports, tennis in particular. She loved theatre and acted in plays with the St. John’s Players and other groups in the 1970s and 80s. A capable pianist, Frances also sang in the Festival Choir for 20 years.

The spirit of adventure that led Frances and Mike to relocate from the UK to Canada continued throughout their lives. They were keen to expose their kids early to travel and to French language and culture, arranging for a two-year sabbatical in France in the 1970s. Always organized and up for a challenge, Frances balanced her own academic schedule at the University of Dijon with Mike’s, enrolling Claire and Nick in French schools, renting an apartment, etc. – and obtaining her master’s degree in the process. Frances and Mike took early retirement so they could start a translation business, spend time every winter in Europe, and visit friends and family.

After raising her two children, Frances loved the company of her grandchildren and great-grandson, and she and Mike never forgot a birthday or special occasion.

Mike’s death in 2024 was a hard blow, but Frances was determined to keep up her friendships and other activities: she continued to talk with friends near and far, attend concerts, watch her favourite French television programs, and read Italian novels.

For those she leaves behind, Frances will be remembered for her love, her strength of character, her intelligence, and her wit.

It was a full life, well-lived.

The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Mercedes Penton for many years of superlative care and for consistently providing calm and reassuring advice. Thanks to Dr. Teri Stuckless for her kindness and expertise. The home palliative care team, including Erin Nugent, Dr. Joshua Bragg, and Dr. Stephen Major, supported Frances and her family with great compassion through the final weeks of her illness.

Cremation has taken place. Family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Friday, March 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Frances, please consider supporting cancer research or the Tuckamore Festival of chamber music.