Frances Mary VITALI (née Stonehouse), latterly of London Ontario, passed peacefully at home, on 1 August 2024, at the age of 91.
Born on September 16, 1932, to Stanley and Mary Stonehouse (née Smith) of Forest, Ontario, Frances became the beloved stepdaughter to Minnie Stonehouse (née Thomson), who married Stanley following the early death of Mary. Frances’ vocation in life was that of ‘caring for others’. She came to this calling early, as the older sister of Marjorie, Barbara, Gordon, Audrey and Nancy.
Frances continued her dedication to caring for others when she chose to become a primary school teacher. It was during her first teaching position in Hamilton that she met her husband John Joseph (Jack) Vitali. They rode the same bus each day and one day Jack was brave enough to ask Frances to join him for an ice cream…the rest is history.
Moving from Hamilton, Dundas, Brampton, Oshawa and on to London for Jack’s work – Frances balanced teaching with raising their six children Robert (Wilma), Susan (John), Sharon (George), Gregory (Heather), Mary and Philip. As well as raising her 6 children, she played a vital role in raising her 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as extending hospitality and caring to all members of her extended family. Her friendships were many, long-standing and loyal.
‘Nana’ invested an incredible amount of time supporting her 17 grandchildren in their upbringing. She always found the time to play with them, take them on adventure days, feed them, help with homework, take them to Trail’s End, comfort and advise them, attend ceremonies, chauffeur them to activities, select personalised gifts and collect newspaper cuttings for each grandchild on topics that interested them. She knew and loved each grandchild as an individual, supporting them in their dreams and disappointments; always celebrating their uniqueness.
As well as her devotion to her family, Frances was committed to lifelong learning. Instead of a mid-life crisis, she undertook a Business & Administration Degree at Kings College, UWO. Further specialised training led to her role as the recruitment advisor for the family business, Highbury Ford.
Frances was a dedicated volunteer with numerous community agencies including the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, the Status of Women, Community Living and the Catholic Women’s League. Joining the CWL at the age of 20, she was one of their longest standing members at the time of her passing, receiving a 70-year pin to commemorate her dedication and contributions with a small ceremony at home in 2023.
In her ‘spare’ time, she was an avid gardener, a skilled seamstress, a milliner, and found the time (while watching TV with Jack) to knit or crochet baby blankets for each new grandchild (and some years there were quite a few). Through the years she read voraciously, studied history, played bridge, acquired Italian, dabbled in drawing, painting, quilting, needlepoint and became highly adept in computer skills. In her late 80’s she was still sewing baby clothes, personalised bags and COVID masks for her family. Her biggest complaint during her final illness, was that she felt ‘non-productive’.
Although not Italian by birth, after her marriage to Jack, Frances added Italian cuisine to her extensive repertoire of cooking and baking skills. She loved fresh food and revelled in the sense of purpose and joy in feeding others with her delicious offerings – adopting the Italian ‘Nona persona’. She was a master multi-tasker, checking homework, or completing the crossword over her morning oranges. Above all, she and Jack remained committed to their shared passion for ice-cream, which, of course, “was a healthy source of calcium”.
She has been a true inspiration, as well as a loving support for all members of her family, friends and community groups. She will be deeply missed by all, but especially by her sister Nancy (Charles) King, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren and their spouses, her great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and cousins Marian and Dean.
Children & Spouses: Robert (Wilma), Susan (deceased) John (Cynthia), Sharon (George), Greg (Heather), Mary, and Philip
Grandchildren & Spouses: Duane, Jason (Ashley), Stephanie (Evan), Sean (Stephanie), Patrick, Jeff (Shanna), Pete (Nichole), Marc (Erin), Malcolm, Jennifer, Ashley (Ian), Sarah (Taylor), Nicole (Adam), Michael (Eliana), Melissa, PJ, and Samantha.
Great-Grandchildren: Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Nixon, Bryant, Wila, Bente, Milou, Evie, Everett, Ben, Josie, John, Jane, Alice, William, Wesley and Evelyn
Frances is predeceased by her husband Jack Vitali (2008), her daughter Susan Lovell (née Vitali) (2008) and her siblings Barbara Stonehouse (1991), Gordon Stonehouse (2010), Marjorie Montgomery (2017), and Audrey Stonehouse (2023).
We are deeply grateful to St Peter’s CWL, especially Julie, Jo and Marian, whose Zoom Rosary Sessions, kindness and care were such a support and comfort to Frances.
A special thank you to the members of her cancer club who have been good friends and wonderful supports to Frances, her daughter Susan and members of their family: Mary, Jane, Linda, Diane, Mary Ellen and Catherine.
We extend our gratitude to extended family and friends who brought so much love into Frances’ life over the years, especially those who joined us at her Living Celebration of Life marking 70 years of “Mothering” in May 2024.
Finally, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the organizations and teams who made it possible for Fran to live her last days at home in Bayfield: her family caregivers: Sharon, Malcolm, George and especially Jennifer, as well as her health care team, Dr Dwight Moulin, Melissa, Tressa, Aleshia, Dr Dalcin and the Michael’s Pharmasave Team. There will be a funeral Mass at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday 10 August, 2024 at 10:00 am (everyone welcome) and interment at St Peter’s Cemetery London, following immediately. Family invites friends to join them at Harris Funeral Home for a reception after Mass; guests who do not go to the cemetery are welcome to proceed directly to the reception from the church.
Donations can be made to the Catholic Women’s League, St. Elizabeth Health or a charity of your choice.