Frances Cockell

On Thursday, May 12, 2016, after a brief bout of pneumonia & lung cancer, we said goodbye to our mom, Frances (Fran) Cockell. She was 91. Fran died peacefully with her 3 children and 3 grandchildren by her side.
Fran was born December 23, 1924, in what was then Port Arthur, to Italian immigrant parents, Mary & Anthony Bozzo. She was the middle of 5 children. On May 28, 1950, she married James (Jim) Cockell and together they had 3 wonderful children, built a nice house and life together. They were together for 50 years until Jim's passing in 2000. In 2012 Fran had to leave the home they built and move into Roseview Manor.
Fran worked briefly and Kresge's and Eaton's before taking many years off to raise her children. After they were grown she worked for many years at Laura Secord in Keskus. She was also an active member in the Volunteer Pool Recreation Association when they started building the indoor pool and served as Treasurer in their bowling league.
Fran loved many activities. The house was decorated with all her petit point, needlepoint and crewel pictures. She used to love to paint and redecorate the house every few years. She was an avid knitter and made hundreds of scarves for charity. She was an awesome cook and baker; the house was always full of fresh baking and canned goods and everyone loved her spaghetti and Christmas cake. She loved to go shopping and met friends for coffee every day at McDonalds. Occasionally she went to the casino with friends and her sister, Florine. In her earlier years she loved to ski and go camping all over Ontario and Western Canada. As well, she spent many hours helping her daughter Cindy with various craft shows the past 40 years. The past 4 years she loved playing Bingo at Roseview Manor, especially when she won.
Fran is survived by her 3 children: Cindy, Scott and Don Cockell (Patty) and 3 grandchildren: Graeme, Jordyn & Jensen.
Fran was predeceased by her parents; husband Jim; sisters Anne Jacobsen, Rose Harkness, Florine Bates and brother, Frank Bozzo.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Roseview Manor, Fran's home for the past 4 years, for all their care and compassion and all the great activities they provided over the years.
The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff in the Oncology ward at TBRHSC and to Amy in Palliative Care. You helped make a hard time a lot easier for us and mom's final days easier on her.
We will miss you mom but we know you are at peace now and in a good place.
A celebration of Fran's life will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Sargent Family Reception Centre, 21 N. Court Street with words of tribute at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Fran's memory to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of one's choice would be appreciated.
On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

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