Obituary for Frances Beatrice Harold (Ruffing)
Frances passed away quietly, in the loving comfort of her family. Much more than an Aunt to nieces Laurie van Heck, Holley Canham (Mike), Shelley Forsyth (Tim) and Cathy Baker (Larry).
She was the foundation of the family and will be fondly remembered by her numerous great nephews and nieces and their families.
Frances was predeceased by her loving husband Ken Harold (2014) and her dear twin sister Rosemary Cutler (2014) and brother in law Bob Cutler (2016).
Frances was recently reunited with her son John Carmody and was able to get to know him through phone calls and letters.
Rosemary signed Frances up for nursing training, then told her that was what she was going to be. She graduated from St Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1946, along with Rosemary.
She worked for several years as Executive Assistant to Father Thomas Brennan at the Catholic Welfare Bureau. During this time she was recruited to supervise the Papal European War Orphan Program for Canada (1949). She escorted orphans from war torn countries to Canada and settled them with loving families all over Ontario. Frances considered these 143 orphans of war as “her children” and still had ties to many.
She returned to nursing at St Joseph’s Hospital, usually in senior positions. She later worked at St Joseph’s Villa, and retired in 1990 as Director of Care at Macassa Lodge.
She was a proud descendant of United Empire Loyalists and her ancestors were among the founding fathers of Hamilton, Ontario.
Sincere thanks to Dr. Ragonetti and the caring staff at Tansley Woods Retirement Home.
Frances did not wish a service, there will be a private family gathering with cremation, and burial at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
“Bury me where you will, but remember me at the table of the Lord”
She was the foundation of the family and will be fondly remembered by her numerous great nephews and nieces and their families.
Frances was predeceased by her loving husband Ken Harold (2014) and her dear twin sister Rosemary Cutler (2014) and brother in law Bob Cutler (2016).
Frances was recently reunited with her son John Carmody and was able to get to know him through phone calls and letters.
Rosemary signed Frances up for nursing training, then told her that was what she was going to be. She graduated from St Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1946, along with Rosemary.
She worked for several years as Executive Assistant to Father Thomas Brennan at the Catholic Welfare Bureau. During this time she was recruited to supervise the Papal European War Orphan Program for Canada (1949). She escorted orphans from war torn countries to Canada and settled them with loving families all over Ontario. Frances considered these 143 orphans of war as “her children” and still had ties to many.
She returned to nursing at St Joseph’s Hospital, usually in senior positions. She later worked at St Joseph’s Villa, and retired in 1990 as Director of Care at Macassa Lodge.
She was a proud descendant of United Empire Loyalists and her ancestors were among the founding fathers of Hamilton, Ontario.
Sincere thanks to Dr. Ragonetti and the caring staff at Tansley Woods Retirement Home.
Frances did not wish a service, there will be a private family gathering with cremation, and burial at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.