Obituary of Frances "Fran" Margaret Elizabeth Milne McKeown

Frances passed peacefully to Eternity on August 8, 2011, with her loved ones by her side. Frances was born on November 26,1916, in Brandon, Manitoba, to Francis and Margaret Roberts and received her education in Brandon. In April 1937, she married Alex Milne and one son, Donald Barrie, was born to that union. Alex passed away in 1980. In 1984, Fran married Dr. Eugene (Mac) McKeown of Hawaii, USA, with ceremony at First Baptist Church, Brandon. During Fran's first marriage, she served as a foster mother, giving a healthier beginning to many small children. She was also employed in clerical work for various businesses and then became a clerk in the Health Department for the Government of Manitoba until her retirement in 1977. Fran enjoyed many sports: bowling, curling, golfing, roller skating, table tennis and dancing (and amazingly, she was able to continue dancing well into her 93rd year). On retirement, Fran and Alex benefitted from many winters away in Arizona and Hawaii. Following her second marriage, she and Mac shared travelling excursions to China, Alaska and various cruises. Mac passed away in 1994, and Fran continued to be active in the company of singles' groups. Fran leaves to mourn her son, Donald Barrie Milne of Brandon, her granddaughter, Katherine Milne of Winnipeg, her sisters Anna Wall of Brandon and Shirley Mitchell of Edmonton, Alberta, brothers-in-law Clayton Elston of Kingston, Ontario and Walter Mitchell of Edmonton, Alberta and sister-in-law Eleanor Roberts of Calgary, Alberta. She also leaves her precious "foster daughters" Elizabeth Goodridge and Cathy Fast, as well as many nieces and nephews. Fran is predeceased by her former husbands and her daughter-in-law Eleanor Milne. She is also predeceased by her brother Jack Roberts, sister Florence Daniels and her husband Donald, sister Dorothy Elston and brother-in-law Walter Wall. Fran was a dedicated Christian and was always happy to declare her love for her Lord and Saviour. She became a member of the family of God at First Baptist Church in Brandon while in her teens. She was ever faithful in her Christian witness. A time of viewing and visitation will take place at Brockie Donovan Funeral Home, 332-8th Street, on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, 3881 Park Avenue, on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Orton Anderson officiating. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fran may be made to First Baptist Church, 3881 Park Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7B 3Y6. "Out of the body, present with the Lord"