Frances Sortome
Obituary
In Memory of

Frances Elizabeth Sortome

1922 - 2021

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Obituary of Frances Elizabeth Sortome

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November 5, 1922 – December 13, 2021

My lovely, vibrant mother, in her 100th year, passed away peacefully at Blenheim Lodge. She decided it was time to go and went on her own terms. The lack of socialization and isolation due to covid restrictions was very hard on her.

She was born in Kimberley, in the family home which was one of the houses that her father built. Growing up in Kimberley she loved skating, dancing, singing in the church choir, and playing the piano. After high school she took a secretarial course at St. Ann’s Academy in Victoria and returned to Kimberley to work for Cominco. When she and Dad married, they lived in Toronto while Dad finished dental school. The two years she worked at Baumgolds Diamond Company were among her favourite. After Dad graduated, they lived in Kelowna, Kimberley, and eventually settled in Vancouver. Mom sang in the church choir at Sts. Peter and Paul, was the receptionist for two dentists, and upon retirement volunteered at the YWCA Thrift Shop, Youville Residence and at Trafalgar Elementary. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed many trips to Prince Edward Island to visit with her parent’s relatives and friends.

Predeceased by her parents Jack and Mary Holland, brother Jack Holland, husband David Reidar and sister Isabel Jeffery. Survived by her daughter Anita; sister-in-law Julie Holland; nieces and nephews in Kimberley, Cranbrook, Horsefly, Calgary and Ledyard, Connecticut; and cousins Jean McTeer and Marie Fraser and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held when covid restrictions have lifted. At some point she will be interned with her father at the Kimberley Cemetery.

Many thanks to the staff at Blenheim Lodge for their care and attention during the last four years.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Covenant House, The Canadian Diabetic Association, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Kearney Funeral Services.

She will be missed by many.

Please raise a glass in her memory.