September 3, 1941 – June 13, 2016
Oldham, Frances – Peacefully and at home, Frances Janet Richardson Oldham passed away at 6:30am on Monday, June 13th. It was just past her one year anniversary battling Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Frances was the loving wife of Edward H. Oldham, beloved mother to Kym, Scott, Heather (Doug) Spence and Charlene, cherished Gramma to Greg, Tyler and Jacob. Treasured sister to Bill, Don and Lois, Peter Sturm, Jean Nauta and special sister in law to Noreen Richardson, Frances was pre deceased by much loved sister Laurie Sturm, Jelle Nauta, Ruth and Ritchie Swan. Beloved daughter of the late Lila and Murray Richardson and Margaret and Ewart Oldham. Much loved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Frances was an influential family studies teacher (HWDSB), an active member in Rockton Agricultural Society, committed to her faith, elder at West Flamborough Presbyterian Church, and dedicated volunteer in the community throughout her lifetime. Visitation at Turner Family Funeral Home , 53 Main St Dundas on Thursday, June 16 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Service to be held at West Flamborough Presbyterian Church (262 Middletown Rd, Flamborough) on Saturday, June 18th at 11:00am. Memorial and interment service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. (115 St Andrew’s Rd, Scarborough) on Sunday ,June 19th at 1:00pm .Donations can be made to Mark Preece House or Camp Trillium in Memory of Frances .
She was an inspiration to all who knew her.
We are saddened at the passing of this wonderful lady and send our deepest condolences to the family as well as her friends, all of whom loved her dearly.
Charlene, Jacob, Scott and family, I am thinking of you all at this time. Your Mother was a beautiful women inside and out and you did her proud with your constant love, care and support during this last year and always. I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers. I am truly so sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed my visits with her. Thinking of you all at this time. Danny Reesor
RIP Fran! You are a special person, so comforting, genuine and beautiful. I will miss you. Think of you often. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time of sorrow.
I would like to offer my condolences to her family. Mrs. Oldham was my family studies teacher, and definitely one of my favourite teachers through my high school years. Because of her, I learned to bake and cook fairly well, and over the years, every single time I made pie crust, I would think of her. She was a wonderful lady, and a great influence!
The suffering has come to an end, my dear friend. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have shared a few moments of life with you are all the better for it. You exemplified everything anyone could ever want in a friend. Your attributes will live on through your children and grandchildren. Your spirit abounds!
To Our Dear Kym, Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Ed and family…..We’re very sorry to hear of my long time & dear friend Fran’s passing . She was always a kind , caring person thinking of others before herself .We were High School friends and off to Teachers College at the same time , driven by Ed in his fancy Mercedes-Benze . In recent years we met at Bayview Village in Toronto for a long lunch discussing life & old times . In January of this year I received a beautiful hand written card telling me of her illness but she was hanging on to the hope that she would get better.She had a strong faith that I’m sure carried her through her difficult days .My love and prayers are sent to all of you as your mourn the loss of this wonderful and gracious lady .
Amazing Mother and Wonderful Lady!God Bless U Guys!
We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Oldham/Richardson families. It has been a very difficult time. Please excuse our absence this weekend as it Is the Sundridge Relay For Life and we will honour Fran and so many others by participating. Our thoughts will be with you.
If you were to look up class in the dictionary Fran’s name would be in bold letters beside it Sincere sympathy to the families of this gentle, kind soul.
Our heartfelt condolences to all the family, especially Scott and Charlene who we have come to know over the past years. We had many visits with your Mom who was a such a warm and lovely lady. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Hello Ed and family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.My association with Ed goes back to high school and college days;We did not get to know Fran and family except through Ed and thereby learned of his special love for them.Our early days were Studebaker,football and skating off Markham Road.We visit with friends in Scarborough now and then but unfortunately cannot attend the commital service but you will be in our prayers.
With sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mom Charlene and family. Your Mom was the most lovely lady as I remember her. You are in my thoughts ?… very sorry to hear this. I remember your Mom telling me about her trip cycling France, she always had some great stories. Also remember her telling me she vounteered at Ronald McDonald House which was so kind of her to do as it is a much needed service. You had a great Mom and was saddened to see this in the paper tonight.
My deepest sympathy to the Oldham family.
Thinking of all of you at this sad time. Fran was a beautiful person, always so nurturing and thoughtful of others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace, lovely lady.
Our condolences to the Oldham family, especially to Scott, with whom I worked at Galt Concrete from 1988 to 1990. He always spoke so highly of his Mom, Dad, and his family.
Barb and I are thinking of you, Scott, and all of your family. May you find peace in a lifetime of happy memories of your Mom.
Charlene, I remember your mom being the kindest teacher I ever had, her smile and genuine caring nature made the classroom shine bright ! I am so sorry for your loss….My condolences to your family
Aunt Fran was an amazing, kind, generous, loving women. It was a pleasure to be part of her life and we will miss her dearly. We are thinking of you all and sending our love.
It was an honor to have known Fran. She was a very classy and caring lady. Her family was truly blessed.
I was so saddened to hear of Fran’s passing from Peter. She was such a lovely person, in all ways. My earliest memories of Fran are from when Laurie and I were young teenagers. Fran was adored and idolized by Laurie, but I was not prepared for the shock of her loveliness when I met her in the dining room on Centre Street. She had an aura of kindness and beauty that I have never forgotten. To all the Oldhams and Richardsons and their kin, my thoughts go out to you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Fran was well liked by everyone. So sorry for your loss.
Ed, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. We always enjoyed visiting with you and Fran whether at a fair function or a church supper. Her gentle manner will certainly be missed. Sincere condolences.
Ed and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Fran was absolutely lovely. I really enjoyed working with her at West Flamboro.
I was sorry to read about Fran’s passing in the Globe. The Oldham and Richardson families have always had a special spot in my heart—albeit from the distance and historic past. Not only did I teach Laura Richardson Sturm home economics but her sister Fran married one of my mother’s favourite cousin’s son!! I always enjoyed reminiscing with Fran and Ed about our long family histories. My thoughts and prayers are very much with you as you move forward with lots of special memories of a very special and unique person.
Dear Ed and Family:
We were so shocked and sorry to learn of Frances’ sudden and (to us) unexpected passing, since the last time that we called about your health nothing alerted us to such sad news. We were a very special group of friends and Frances (3) was a very special member of that group. Sadly we will miss her and her always loving and happy presence. Owing to an essential prior commitment to a granddaughter’s birthday we will not be able to attend on that day, but our hearts go out to you all.
Because of its significance to us we want to give any of your friends receiving this message a very short history of our long term mutual involvement.
Stan came to Canada in1957 as a qualified English patent agent bachelor and joined Westinghouse Canada law (patent) department to work with his boss Bob Fox – Bob’s wife’s name was Frances – therefore Frances (1). In 1959 Stan married a Canadian girl Frances – therefore Frances (2). Upon starting his own firm and leaving Westinghouse in 1963 Stan’s place was taken by Ed, whose wife’s name was surprise, surprise Frances – therefore Frances (3). Frances (1) died many years ago and Bob just a few years ago. During that whole time together as friends and colleagues, with numerous get-togethers and meetings, we always enjoyed each other’s company to the utmost and have nothing but the happiest of memories of how well all six got along. There was no difficulty during conferences in distinguishing between Bob, Stan and Ed, but with the ladies eventually we had to resort to naming them Frances (1), Frances (2) and last, but in no way the least Frances (3).
God Bless you all and keep you safe!
Stan and Frances (2) Rogers
Remembering happy times with Fran on the school trips to Ottawa and Montreal. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My sincerest condolences.
It is with heartfelt sympathy we share in your loss. Fran was such an influential person in our lives – so kind and caring, a beautiful person and an extraordinary educator. We will dearly miss her compassion, charisma and wisdom. We feel so very privileged to be her friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am truly saddened to hear of Fran’s passing. Her gentle manner, her uplifting spirit and kindness shown to families when they were facing some of their darkest days are my memory of the years we spent as volunteers at Ronald McDonald House. We spoke just a few months ago – still the optimistic Fran – looking to the future.
My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
My deepest sympathy to all members of the Oldham family. Fran was the most compassionate, generous and gracious woman I have ever worked with in my teaching career. Dr. John Seaton and Dundas District staffs and students were very fortunate to know this wonderful educator and great lady.
Charlene so very sorry to hear about your loss. I remember how gracious your mom was each time I met her and felt like we knew her well by the way you spoke of her and your closeness. Please accept my deepest sympathies and know I am keeping you, Jacob and your family in my thoughts during this very difficult time.
Charlene, Scott and family. Deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mom/Grandma. She was such a wonderful woman and a true inspirational spirit. She will be greatly missed, and we hope you are able to find comfort in knowing she is at peace.
Barry and Trixie Smith
June 18,2016
Ed, memories of our Skule days and the good times we shared have come flooding back. We are deeply saddened by your loss. Take care, stay well.
It’s always sad to read of a family member passing. The years seem to fly quickly.
My thoughts are with your family. I am sorry for your loss.
I am Margaret (Empringham) Bowes ‘s daughter.
Minnie ( Craig) Empringham and Janet (Craig) Richardson were sisters
Sorry for your loss. It’s been such a long time but have many happy childhood memories.
Fran and I met as teachers, volunteers at Ronald McDonald House and at the hairdressers. She always had a smile and was a genuinely lovely lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. She will be missed.
Ed,We will miss that smiling face at the Market. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Sympathy from the Porter family of Michigan. We have many fond memories of our Canadian cousins.
Don Richardson and Family
I have now lost my last sister, first Laurie and now Fran, but their are 3 things that give me some relief, 1 Frans family, friends, and caregivers could not have made this last year go any better, 2 one of the last times Lois and I spoke to Fran she told us that as she left this world she knew that Mom , Dad, and Laurie were waiting for her, and 3 that I was able to say that I was a brother of Fran and Laurie Richardson, which means that I am truly blessed.
/ Love your brother Don.
Fran was a wonderful caring person, always there for all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Ed and family. An honour to have had the privilege of working with and alongside Fran. Janis Blimkie and Family