Frances Lillian Ahl

AHL (WARD), Frances Lillian – June 16, 1927-September 7, 2022

With family by her side, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest mother, grandmother, great grandmother Frances Lillian Ahl, of Martensville, SK on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022, at the age of 95. Frances was predeceased by her husband Stanley Ahl, her parents Leo and Rose Ward; infant brother Bobby and brother Edward Ward (Elsie); sister Violet Harter (Fred) and brother Harold Ward, son-in-law Carmen Gisi. Frances will be lovingly remembered by her sons Murray (Pamela) Ahl, Ladysmith, BC; Larry (Kathy) Ahl, Kootney Bay, BC; daughters Marlene Lundrigan, Saskatoon, SK; Sharon (Brian) Fehr, Martensville; Diane (Steven) Chivilo, Martensville, SK; grandchildren Melody, Alanna (Eric), Mandi (Brad), Chris, Erin (Ian), David, Breanne, Patrice (Kevin), Dylan, Geordie, Todd, Jonah, Hannah; great grandchildren Dade, Sara, Jordan, Sean, Trinity, Aurora, Serenity, Felicity, Faith, Bella, Vienna.

Frances was born on June 16, 1927, on the family farm northeast of Weyburn. She attended the Schneider school; it was a one room school where all grades were taught. Mom really enjoyed school and looked forward to it, she really excelled in math. She loved school sports and was exceptional at them all. At the age of 17 she moved to Weyburn and worked full-time at Woolworths. In 1948 mom started training to become a Psychiatric Nurse at the Saskatchewan Training School in Weyburn and graduated in 1952. Fran loved her work as a Psychiatric Nurse, she especially enjoyed working with those that needed extra care. Mom and dad married in Weyburn in 1954 and soon after moved to Churchill, MB. Our father Stan worked with the Dept of Communications which meant they moved a lot. After Churchill they moved to Rivers, MB; Brandon, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Thompson, MB and then Martensville, SK. While living in Winnipeg mom went to the Red River College and received her Early Childhood Education Diploma. Mom loved children, they were her world and she worked with them until she retired in 1992.

Throughout all their moves, Mom and Dad had 5 children and they all meant everything to them, we grew up in a home with so much love. Frances worked hard; her hands were proof of that. Growing up in the great depression was all about survival, hard work was all she knew. Mom worked tirelessly in our huge garden so we could always have fresh nutritious homemade meals. She canned and pickled each year so much of our food would last until the next season. Everything she made was by hand, whether it was bread, cookies, or cakes. We were her world and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children and grandchildren. She was always lending a helping hand. Fran played a very large roll in her grandchildren’s lives; she adored them all. To this day we’ve never met anyone as loving, patient, kind and giving as our mom, she was the definition of a Saint.

In the fall of 1992 mom and dad bought their lakefront retirement home across from Sicamous, BC on Mara Lake in the Shuswaps. It was the most beautiful and majestic place. Mom loved her flowers and loved to garden, together they worked for years in their yard and turned it into an oasis. Dad passed away in August of 1998, but mom stayed at their little piece of paradise on Mara Lake until she moved back to Martensville in 2014.

Mom loved to garden, bake, crochet, bird watch, play cards and games, paint, dance, listen to jazz and blues music, entertain friends, crafts, lawn bowling, socializing at the Seniors Centre in Sicamous and then at the New Horizon Drop-In Centre in Martensville.

The last few years mom lived at Wanda’s Private Care Home in Martensville where she could get the extra care she needed with her health. A huge thank you to Wanda and her husband Ron for loving and caring for mom like she was part of their family. Big thank you to her Nurse Practitioner Erin, who was there with us every step of the way, we could call her 24/7 and she was there. Kayla and her team at the Medicine Shoppe in Martensville, thank you for all your love and support ….it takes a village.

What a blessing and how fortunate that mom lived a full life for 95+ wonderful years right up until the last day of her life. We love you so much and will miss you for always, you were simply the best! xoxo

The Celebration of Life Service for Frances will be held at 7:00pm, Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Cherished Memories Funeral Services, 591 Centennial Drive N, Martensville, SK.
A livestream link has been set up for those unable to attend at  https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/60638