Obituary of Frances Parkin

B I O G R A P H Y PARKIN: Frances Margaret Parkin passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital on Friday, April 1, 2005 at the age of 69 years. Frances is survived by: six children: Dawn and her husband Neil Hames of Marwayne; Cindy Belsheim of Tulliby Lake; Connie and her husband Larry Schultz of Lloydminster; Jackie Parkin of Lloydminster; Ray Parkin and his wife Cindy of Provost; Michael Parkin of Edmonton; twelve grandchildren; three brothers: Joe Kaminski and his wife Mary; Adolph Kaminski and his wife Helen; Walter Kaminski and his wife Marilyn all of Melfort; one sister: Helen Miazga of Stettler as well as numerous other relatives. Frances was predeceased by her husband Frank; her son-in-law Miles and her infant son Brian. The funeral service for Frances was conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, Alberta on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Harold Martin officiating. A duet "The Old Rugged Cross," was sung by Kevin and Barb Nelson. The hymn sung was "Amazing Grace," accompanied on the organ by Donna Eyben. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Kelly as well as all those who shared in Mom's life. Active pallbearers were: Bryce Hames, Brandon Hames, Dustin Hames, Christina Belsheim, Daryl Belsheim, Tracy Belsheim, Adam Belsheim, Brett Schultz, Holly Parkin, Jessica Parkin, Kassidy Parkin and Ryley Parkin. Interment followed in the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Frances was born on August 16, 1935 to Alexander and Petrunella Kaminski in the farmhouse at Brooksby, Saskatchewan. Frances was the youngest of a large Polish Ukrainian family of ten which included her siblings Olga, Joe, John, Mary, Walter, Helen and Adolph. Frances was a great assistant to her mother cooking and preparing the food for the large family. Frances left the farm to finish high school in Moose Jaw at the Sion convent where she lived with her sister Olga and her husband Ignance. Her teachers were nuns and she was required to wear a uniform which consisted of a white blouse and a pleated skirt. Upon finishing her education at Sion, Frances trained to work as a nurses aid and took a position at the Lloydminster Hospital. She lived in an apartment over the old Leeds Womens Wear Store with Alf Grahams oldest daughter, Lois. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Frank Parkin of Kitscoty. They were married on April 26, 1958 in Kitscoty. Vern and wife Eileen Graham were Frank and France's best man and bridesmaid. Frank and Frances made their first home in Lloydminster and later lived on the Henery Beek farm in Kitscoty. It was at this time that their first child, Dawn, was born in 1958. They also lived west of Vermilion and it was at this time that Cindy was born in 1959. The family lived a short time in Neilburg and then in Maidstone at the McConnel farm. Brian was born in Maidstone in 1961 , and he passed away in Maidstone at the age of 1 year 9 months. In 1964 Connie was born in Maidstone. A move was decided to Cut Knife where Frank was employed to manage Rudiger Ranch. It was at this time that Jackie was born in 1966. At this ranch Frank worked with some of the very first Charolais cattle to come into Canada and Frances sometimes cooked for the wranglers in the bunkhouse. In 1967 Frances and Frank moved their family to his hometown of Kitscoty. It was at this time that her two sons, Raymond, 1969 and Mike 1972 were born. Frances was a busy homemaker and mother to six children. All her children remember coming home after school to fresh homemade bread and buns almost every day. When the children were older Frances worked as a cook at the Bay Cafeteria. Frances also worked as a cook in the Fishers Department Store Cafeteria, which at that time was famous for it's cinnamon buns. Frances enjoyed embroidery, knitting, crochet, sewing, rug hooking and various crafts. Frances gardened and did up many preserves, pickles and relishes. Frances liked picking berries, but didn't have a driver's licence, so she would get our late uncle Cyril to drive us out to the country to pick saskatoons. She wouldn't let any of her kids quit until they each had picked their syrup pail full. Frances loved to read, and would read anything she could get her hands on. She also enjoyed Sunday family picnics and swims at Lyn Forest Beach and Family Picnics along the Vermilion River at Leapark. Frances enjoyed her family holidays which included visits to see her family in Melfort, and trips to Drumheller, the Rocky Mountains and to see her sister Helen in Stettler. In 1993 her husband, Frank Parkin passed away at the age of 58. Our family is blessed with a dear friend, Bill Kelly, who continued to be a friend after Frank passed away, by checking in on Frances and picking up the mail when she was no longer able to walk uptown. Frances enjoyed her grandchildren, Bryce, Brandon, Dustin, Christina, Daryl, Tracy, Adam, Bret, Holly, Jessica, Kassidy and Ryley. Frances was generous with her live. We love her dearly and she will be greatly missed. Card of Thanks A very special thank you to Bill Kelly for being at Mom's house at the right time. We will always be grateful to have such a wonderful friend as you. Thank you to the Marwayne Fire and Rescue Squad, Lloyd Rescue Squad and the ambulance personnel. Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at the Lloyd Hospital for all that was done for Mom. Thank you to everyone for the visits and phone calls, and to all those who sent food, flowers, cards and attended the funeral. Your caring and kindness is much appreciated. Thank you to Reverend Harold Martin for the service, Donna Eyben organist, and to Kevin and Barb Nelson for the beautiful music. Also thank you to McCaw for their kind and professional services. Mom has gone to join Dad in the everlasting life. We will always miss them both. The Family of Frances and Frank Parkin Donations in memory of Frances may be made to the Lloydminster Hospital Palliative Care or to the Kitscoty Cemetery Fund.