Frances Cavin (nee Zareski)

November 10, 1926 – November 25, 2012

After a long illness, Fran passed away peacefully on a sunny Sunday morning, November 25, 2012, surrounded by the love of her family, after a short stay at Victoria Hospice. She was born in Welland, Ont. to John and Mary Zareski, the 6th of 7 children. After graduation from Welland High School, Fran trained at Hamilton General Hospital as a Lab Technician. Upon receiving her certificate in 1949 she travelled to Victoria to take a position at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she worked until shortly before the birth of her first child in 1952. In 1950 she met Gerald at the Catholic Youth Organization. They were married on Sept. 8, 1951 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria. Mom often said that after falling in love first with our mountains, and then her beloved Gerry, there was no going back to Ontario! After several years on Gorge Rd. West, Mom and Dad resided on Bank St. for 51 years until declining health prompted a move to Assisted Living at the Cridge Centre. Their Catholic faith being most important to them, they were devoted parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church for over half a century.

Fran is survived by her loving husband Gerry; sons Joe, Martin of Port Moody and Greg (Irene) of Kelowna; daughters Margaret and Mary; brother Tom (Ann) Zareski and sister Rose Zareski of Welland Ont.; sisters-in-law Mary DeVerteuil and Marg (Fred) Griffin of Victoria, and many nieces and nephews and their families throughout BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia. In addition to her parents, Fran is predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Stanley (Rose) Zareski, Walter (Gladie) Zareski, Frank (Agnes) Zareski, and Annie (Frank) Krol.

Prayers will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church, 2060 Haultain St., on Friday December 7th at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at the same location at 12:10 pm on Saturday, December 8th, concelebrated by Frs. William Hill and Ian Stuart. A reception will follow in the adjoining Hall and interment at Ross Bay Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please direct your generosity to St. Patrick’s Parish, the Victoria Hospice or The Cridge Centre for the Family.

The family is very grateful to so many for the extraordinary support and care expended on Mom during her illness: Drs. Egan, Argouarch and McCracken, Veronica and Gail of VIHA, the management and staff of the Cridge Centre, particularly Steve and Jill, the many attentive caregivers of Beacon Home Services, especially Marilyn, Yolanda, Maggie, Septka and Lily, the Victoria Hospice team, and Fr. Bill Hill. Thanks also to the Victoria Red Cross that generously supplied the equipment that allowed Mom to remain at home for so long. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

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