Tribute Wall
Friday
23
September
Funeral Service
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Friday, September 23, 2022
St. George and St. Andrew United Church
St. George
Annapolis Royal , Nova Scotia, Canada
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Fayeona and Harold Fancy lit a candle
Saturday, September 24, 2022
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Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Fran's family.She was a very special lady, we always enjoyed our conversations with Frances and her great sense of humor. May you find comfort in the memories you share at this most difficult time.
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Chris Harwood posted a condolence
Friday, September 23, 2022
Elizabeth & I send condolences to Fran's family and friends. We have fond memories of Fran during our time in Annapolis Royal and especially of the Saturday morning "Breakfast Group". May she Rest in Peace
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Amery Boyer donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Friday, September 23, 2022
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Tammy Ring posted a condolence
Thursday, September 22, 2022
My heart goes out to all of Frances’ family and close friends at this sad time. I will always remember her fondly, especially her limitless kindness and glowing smile.
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Elizabeth Rhymer posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
We were so sad to hear of Fran's passing. She was a very special person, as all who knew her recognized. I taught with her in Annapolis and my daughters had the privilege of having been taught by her. Her kindness, intelligence, patience, and good humour were appreciated by all who knew her. She was once asked to identify the ethnicity of the students in her classes and she replied that she had never noticed. That was Fran in a nutshell. She treated everyone the same and we all loved that in her.
She was also a great asset to her community in many roles including the hospital, the theatre, and her church.
We send condolences to her good friends and family and know that the memories of this remarkable woman remain with all who were lucky enough to have known her.
Elizabeth, Anna, and Emily Rhymer
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Brian Rafuse posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
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So sorry to hear about Francis’ passing. Sending my deepest condolences to her family and close friends. She truly was a wonderful woman and had such a huge impact upon her community.
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Ruth-Anne Stirling posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
My first memory of Fran was when I met her and her good friend, Jane, at a Western Region Meeting of Health Auxiliaries. It was apparent that these two enjoyed bantering with each other and were always ready with lighthearted comments about any subject. Not only was Fran a faithful volunteer for Annapolis Royal Health Auxiliary, she was a mentor to her many students, as well as serving in her church in various capacities and involved in many community events. Her love of gardening made her home a show place for all to enjoy. I wish to pass on my sincere condolences to her family, friends and acquaintances. You were certainly be missed.
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Pauline Bartlett-Redden posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. She was among the first people to welcome me into the teaching family at ARRA. She was warm, funny and a truly dedicated teacher. Her wit and humour was second to none. She will be missed.
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Cathy Lowe posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
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Sending my sincere sympathies to your family. It saddens me to read Frances obituary. I knew her through the Rafuse family, her time of teaching school in Lawrencetown and rug hooking. It was always so easy to have conversation with her due to her sincere beliefs and love of life. The image a mutual understanding-
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R Eugene Hay posted a condolence
Monday, September 19, 2022
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. I had the unique experience of teaching with your Mom for many years at ARRA & AWEC. She was a fun person who really cared about her students. I also know that she was very active in our church and served in many capacities. Know that I will miss her greatly!
Gene & Susan Hay
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Susan (Troop) MacDougall posted a condolence
Monday, September 19, 2022
I have always said that “Mrs Rafuse” was my favourite teacher. She used to sneak my friend and I these orange candies that her husband would get off the boat. We called them out “lifeboat candies”. You could tell she got a kick out of us getting so excited when she had them for us. We worked really hard in her class. She was exceptional.
Years passed and I had the good fortune to run into her frequently. We always laughed about those candies. I did share with her my respect and gratitude for her. Such fond memories of a kind and funny woman. My deep condolences to her family. She was a good one ❤️.
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Laura Lockhart posted a condolence
Sunday, September 18, 2022
My heart goes out to u all. She was a special lady that touched so many of our hearts
One of my favourite teachers
Always a loyal customer from day one and of course my friend.. I will always remember her smile when she walked in the door and keep our memories close
Gone but never forgotten
Laura
Lockhart’s casuals & workwear
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Troy Kennedy posted a condolence
Sunday, September 18, 2022
My deepest sympathies. Having known Frances most of my life, it is hard to hear of her passing. She was such a lovely person. I always enjoyed our talks when we would meet up around town, chat, and catch up. Please know that you all are in our thoughts at this time.
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Doreen grant hall posted a condolence
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Condolences to all the family. IT will be hard to think of Annapolis Royal without thinking of Francis. She was a lively addition to the town. Excellent teacher, you will be missed .
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Corene Durland posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2022
To the family, my condolences. I remember your mother when she taught in Lawrencetown. She was so nice and left an impression on me. Years later I saw her at Kings Theater and knew her right away. I wished I could have had chance to talk to her, but it was not to be. Hold on to all your wonderful memories they will help you through this difficult time.
Corene Bishop Durland
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Virginia Hurlburt posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Frances was a fine and caring person truly will be missed!
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Sherry Caldwell posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2022
I remember teaching in a classroom next to Frances. It was rare that a period would pass that did not contain uproarious laughter, the essence of good living and learning. Her humour was clever, dry, witty and omnipresent and her gratitude to my husband for suggesting the solution to fending off the deer in her garden...an electric fence...was vast. Condolences to family and especially to Cherrie whom I never met but was often mentioned by her doting mom.
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Paula Montgomery-Pettitt posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2022
It is with great sadness I heard of France’s passing. I knew Frances when she was a teacher in Annapolis Royal. She worked at the Annapolis West Education Centre where my husband Laurie Montgomery also taught, and thus I had many wonderful memories at teacher togethers. A lovely, kind woman, who will be missed by so many.
My husband James Pettitt (Jim) extends his condolences and he also taught with Frances at the same school many years ago. Many lovely memories for the both of us actually. As Jim noted, Frances was a very dedicated teacher and loved by her students.
Paula Montgomery and Jim Pettitt
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Brenda Nimmo posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, September 17, 2022
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So sorry to hear of Frans passing. A wonderful person to have known. I always enjoyed Frans sense of humour. Never knew what was coming out next. She will be truly missed by both family and friends. Rest In Peace Fran
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Rev. Nita lit a candle
Saturday, September 17, 2022
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I wish to add my condolences to many that you shall receive. My closest association with Fran was through the Ecumenical Council. She was gentleness and light at our gatherings and her contribution to our discussions were always thoughtful, measured, and correct, the qualities of a good leader. She will definitely be missed by the members of the council and her beloved St. George and St. Andrew’s.
- Having served her generation well she now rests. - Rev. Nita
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Terry Silver posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2022
I am so sad to hear we have lost dear Fran. My memories of her go back to when I was a Grade 3 student in Lawrencetown and she was a young teacher just starting out in her profession. That time has stayed in my memory ever since; she was fun and funny, caring, dedicated and everything else a good teacher should be. I was very fortunate to have had her in my early life. Then years passed and low and behold, there she was in Annapolis Royal and would teach at AWEC where my girls went to school. And Annapolis Royal is where I would see her often. Rest in Peace, Fran. You impacted so many lives and, I feel, left a lot of wonderful memories for a lot of people. You were certainly one of the great ones!
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Heather Grant posted a condolence
Friday, September 16, 2022
So sorry to learn of your loss. Mrs Rafuse was one of my favourite teachers. I still remember the grammar tips she taught us in grade 9. Please accept my deepest sympathy. - Heather Grant
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Susan Woodland lit a candle
Friday, September 16, 2022
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Thinking of you both Cherrie and Rory and families for your loss. Frances was such a kind, caring and beautiful person who was always willing to give a hand or lend an ear. A smile and a laugh for everyone no matter what she may have been dealing with herself. There is a huge hole in my heart since her passing, life just won't be the same without my dear neighbour.
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Karen lit a candle
Friday, September 16, 2022
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Condolences to Cherrie and Rory and families for the loss of a wonderful Mother and Grandmother. She was such a kind person and I will remember her always.
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Allison posted a condolence
Friday, September 16, 2022
Mrs Rafuse was kind and welcoming to me as a teenager, not as her student but as her daughter's friend. I spent many pleasant hours in her home. Her garden was beautiful and her cats well loved. I admired her gentle humour, her love for family and animals, and her ability for deep friendship. I was extremely pleased to see her over the years of visits home and especially in 2020 when my own mother was ill and Mrs Rafuse exhibited her same kindness and welcome to me as always. She was truly a pillar of the community, a warm and loving person and she will be deeply missed by many. Condolences to Cherrie and Rory and all her family and friends.
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The family of Frances Rafuse uploaded a photo
Friday, September 16, 2022
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