Tribute

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Reverend Frances Marr Darling. Fran was born in Vancouver, BC on August 2^nd, 1951 to Frank and Barbara Darling. Predeceased by her father Frank Darling and brother Peter Darling (Nancy Cameron), Fran is survived by her beloved mother Barbara and sisters, Marcia (Mack Scott), Barbara (David Crowther) and Mary (Mike Schepp).

Fran grew up in Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. Although she graduated High School in Montreal, she always considered herself a graduate of Winnipeg’s Kelvin High School with lifelong buddies Yael Brotman, Ian Gemmill, Grant Mitchell, Craig Parks, Nick Rice and Brian Sharkey. She then attended McGill University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English. There, she joined the Gama Phi Beta International Sorority, forging deep friendships with sorority sisters Verian Farnsworth, Kathy Fox, Karin Hartner, Linda La Roque, Ann Layton, Elspeth Mackay and Sharron Wall. Following graduation, she worked in Advertising and Public Relations for CKGM Radio. In Montreal, she met her love and partner for life, Dr. Peter Leckie. On September 6^th, 1975 they were married and a year later they moved to Vancouver, BC.  1978 saw the arrival of their daughter Nancy Barbara Darling Leckie (Charlebois), and, in 1981, son David Francis Darling Leckie completed their family of four. Next came a move to Duncan BC. There, Fran pursued her career in writing as an editorialist for the Cowichan Newsleader/Pictorial. She was committed to volunteering for a variety of organizations and worked for the Chemainus Theatre and Atchison Palmer Accountants.

In 2005, Fran gained a son in-law with the marriage of Nancy to Commander Dan Charlebois RCN. In 2012, David’s marriage to Lori Ravenstorm added not only a daughter in-law, but also granddaughter Abbey Ravenstorm (1995) to the clan. Her greatest joy came from her granddaughters, Abbey,  Emilia Jane Charlebois (2009), and Isla Lee Charlebois (2013).

Over the last decade, Fran pursued her passions for music, writing, and service to others by attending the Vancouver School of Theology. She was granted an award for excellence in preaching, earned a certificate as a Labyrinth Facilitator from Veriditas, and focused her honours work in the area of Christian Education. After a year-long internship at Grace United in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, she graduated with Honours, earning her Masters of Divinity. She was then ordained as a United Church Minister in 2008. She began her Ministry at both Cedar United Church and Chemainus United Church, staying at Chemainus United until her death.

Wife, mother, sister, sister in-law, aunt, friend and minister, our cherished Fran will be forever missed by her family, friends and the many facets of community that she so loved and dedicated her life to.

Communion will be offered from 1:00 p.m to 2:00pm at the New Life Baptist Church,1839 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan BC on Saturday April 13, 2013 followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m.  Memorial remembrances may be made in the form of a donation to the Chemainus United Church,  PO Box 71, Chemainus BC V0R 1K0. 

“Bonne nuit, beaux reves. Si tu reve aux anges, tu reves a moi.” (Good night, sweet dreams. If you dream of angels, you dream of me.)