Toll, Frances (Pope)

Frances passed away peacefully Sunday, December 11, 2022 at University Hospital in London, Ontario.  She was born in St. John’s Newfoundland and was the daughter of Harry and Effie Pope. She is survived by husband, Michael, brother, Roger Pope (Diane), nephew, Gregory Pope (Dora Lee) and great nephews Harrison and Kennedy and numerous cousins in Toronto and Newfoundland. In Newfoundland, Frances was a well known and respected musician and elementary school music and drama teacher. She also contributed to the Newfoundland community as organist at St. Thomas ‘Garrison Church’ in St. John’s and played tympani in, and was president of, the St. John’s Symphony Orchestra.  She was involved in conducting or directing numerous Broadway Musical Theatre Productions both at I.J. Samson School and at the Arts and Culture Center in St. John’s.  Frances also conducted two musical singing groups, The Killicks, and the Anchormen and did a number of CBC radio broadcasts. Although Frances was a shy and reserved person in her private life this did not stop her from performing for many distinguished Newfoundlanders and visitors, including different Newfoundland and Labrador Lieutenant Governors, the Premiers of Canada, Dame Vera Lynn, Pope John Paul II and the King and Queen of Belgium, etc.  Directing or conducting musical theatre productions was a passion of Frances and she conducted or directed productions in St. John’s Newfoundland, Saint John, New Brunswick, Antigonish, Nova Scotia and in London, Ontario. Frances enjoyed teaching but, after nearly thirty years she retired when she and her husband moved to London. She thought she would try a different career and earned her Real Estate Licence. However, she found this profession was not to her liking and she had an opportunity to return to teaching with the Middlesex School Board. Unfortunately, the Ontario Board of Education didn’t recognize her teaching credentials from England or her teaching experience and told her if she wanted a permanent position she needed to go back and get a university degree. So, at the age of fifty and after five years of university she earned both a Bachelor of Music (hon) and Bachelor of Education degrees at UWO (now Western) and earned a gold medal for academic achievement. She taught until she was forced to retire at age 65. But this didn’t stop her and she then went on to teach at Standing Stone School in Oneida Nation of the Thames.  While in London and while she was in real estate she was involved with the sale and purchase of the Palace Theatre and then joined the Board of the London Community Players (LCP).  She Directed a number of musical theatre productions for the LCP and for Theatre Western. She was also Organist and Choir Director at St. Luke’s Anglican church in London.  Frances was a remarkable individual, a devoted and dedicated wife, companion, colleague, and confidant. We shared everything together.  She was also a truly talented musician, educator and a wonderful human being and she will be missed by all those who came in contact with her.  Visitation at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond on Thursday from 6-8 pm .  The funeral service will be conducted at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 280 St. James St. at Wellington, London on Friday, December 16 at 11 am.  Interment Woodland Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society, 435 Windermere Road, London  N5X 2T1 would be appreciated.