Francie was born in Liverpool, N.S., and raised on the beautiful south shore of that province by her mother Edith and father Thomas H. Raddall, the celebrated Nova Scotia writer.
She attended Acadia University she fell in love with Bill Dennis, who married her in 1957 and whisked her away to New Brunswick and a blissful life in Moncton and Riverview. Their four children inherited her love of family and unbridled joie de vivre. "Love you barrels" was her familiar warm and reassuring refrain as she kissed the kid’s good night and turned out the lights.
Bill and Francie travelled, partied and lived together for more than 60 years. Their shared adventures took them all over North America - from Alaska, Barbados, Jekyll Island and beyond. They shared a love for golf, skiing and salmon fishing. They loved spending time with family and friends on Havelock Road – the door was always open for company of all ages - but the most memorable moments came when they’d load four kids and a dog into the car and head off with the trailer on summer treks to Doaktown, Hunts Point or P.E.I.
Francie had a million friends, it seemed. She loved the bridge girls in Riverview and reveled with the infamous Pig Out crowd that would descend annually on various Maritime destinations with full coolers of good grub and cold beer. Her smile would light up a room and her laughter could always be heard above the fray at any gathering.
Even as her health started failing in recent years, she hung on dearly to two things: her great sense of humour and the deep devotion to her family. She was full of life and love, from the beginning to the end. She will be dearly missed by her best friend and husband Bill; her four adoring children Greg (Robin), Terry (Karen), Stephanie (Tim) and Tracey (Greg); her beloved grandchildren Corey, Evan, Jack, Henry, Rachel and Wille; her brother Tom Raddall (Pam); nieces Debbie and Gina, and; nephews Tommy, Blair and Grant; sister in law Carol Haverstock (Dennis).
Sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at Parklands for taking such good care of Francie.
The family will be receiving relatives and friends at Cobb’s Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 330 Whitepine Rd., Riverview (869-2007) on Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00pm. A funeral service will take place on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2:00pm with Rev. Steve Berube officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the New Brunswick Lung Association, Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca