Obituary of Frances Kraus
KRAUS, FRANCES IRENE (nee BEAGLE)
Fran, our compassionate, kind-hearted, loving, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and loyal friend to many, passed away in Kingston, Ontario on February 14, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, Herb and Alice (Gustin) Beagle of Vittoria, Ontario and her older brother Ray Beagle of Brantford, Ontario. She leaves behind her loving husband, Bob; brothers Brian and Kevin; daughter Tracey (Lougheed) and sons, Trevor and Troy. Fran was very proud of her five grandchildren: Alexandra, Clayton, Andrew, Amelia and Evalea.
Fran grew up in Vittoria, Ontario. She became a teacher starting her career in Waterford, Ontario moving in 1965 to Nanaimo, British Columbia to continue her profession. It was in Nanaimo where she met her husband to be, Bob, an RCMP officer who had been serving in the north and was then posted there. They were married in 1967. Their love, respect and commitment to each other lasted for over 56 years. Their life together in the RCMP brought many moves within British Columbia through the 1970s. She kept her young family active by participating in bowling, music band booster clubs, guides and numerous family camping trips. In 1980 the family moved to Ottawa, where a whole new adventure began, which saw Fran continue as an active volunteer while being a mom to three growing teenagers. A final RCMP move took Fran and Bob to Winnipeg.
Upon Bob’s retirement from the RCMP in 1995, the two chose Kingston where they settled in to enjoy their retirement journey. It is here where Fran’s love of life, unwavering commitment to family and community, energy, compassion and smile led her to volunteer with many organizations, culminating with over 15 years as President of the Interesting Years Club and Newcomers/Alumni Club. Fran was a social butterfly who was driven to put her whole heart into all she pursued and accomplished. She was always recognized as an exceptional volunteer. The RCMP acknowledged her unwavering duty with the Second Man Award for her unpaid service to the Police Force in the 1960s and 1970s during many of Bob’s postings.
Some of Fran’s most rewarding moments were spent with her many dearest friends, but more importantly, with her husband, Bob, her children, and with her grandchildren. She traveled from coast to coast in Canada and in retirement, there were many bus trips on theatre outings to Stratford, trips to the United States, a cruise to Alaska and a river cruise in Europe. Her most memorable trips were to visit BC with family and a recent trip last year back home to Vittoria with a walk down memory lane.
Fran dedicated her life to family, her friends and her community, as those experiences provided her with the inspiration to keep going, even through difficult times. Her parting wish was simple. A profound ask that we all ‘Be Happy’.
In memory of Fran, donations may be made to a charity of choice dealing with cancer. Private family services will be held at later dates in Ottawa, Ontario at the Beechwood Cemetery and at the Walsh United Cemetery near Vittoria, Ontario.
