Elizabeth Frances White McCann (31 Jan 1949 - 5 Sep 2017)

In loving memory of Elizabeth Frances White McCann who sadly passed away on 5th September 2017. Frances was a devoted mother to Frances, Charlie and Sean, and proud grandmother to Colleen and Aedan. Frances was loved by many, none more so than her best friend Vina and her sisters and brothers both alive and deceased and she will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.
Frances spent her live helping others, from helping her disabled mother or her mother in law, to volunteering her time at the Germiston Community Centre. She spent her earlier years dreaming of moving to america and working as an au pair, but she fell in love with Charlie Toal and happily settled down to raise a family. Despite her best efforts, her marriage to Charlie was an unhappy one and they divorced, but Frances was never bitter about her disappointments, and she dedicated her life to her children, her friends and family, and those less fortunate than her. Frances was never happier than when her house was filled with people, and despite not drinking much she loved to socialise and loved the sound of her children and their friends enjoying themselves at home before a night out, although she wasn't always keen on the music, particularly when her son's taste moved in the direction of late 70's and early 80's punk.
Frances' house became a social hub, a place where everyone was welcome, where the door was always open to 'waifs and strays' from London and Middlesbrough, to Oban and Preston Pans. In later years after her daughter married a Texan there would often be people from all over the USA crammed into 505 Royston Road, and Frances always made everyone feel welcome.
Frances was on hand at a moments notice, ready to race to the rescue whenever one of her children broke a body part. This happened more often than one might expect and left Frances racing to London when Sean broke his back, flying to Heidelberg when Frances had broken a hip, or moving to Yorkshire for the xmas holidays when Charlie was unable to walk. Frances was devoted to her children, and would do anything to ensure they were happy, often to the detriment of her own feelings or health.
Frances was diagnosed with younger onset dementia when she was 57. Many people who found out didn't believe it was true, including some members of her own family. They couldn't understand how this could happen to someone so young and vital, and Frances shared this disbelief at times, but in the main she threw her energy into enjoying what little time she had left. In her later years she became even more social and attended many groups and activities, a lot of which were sponsored by Alzheimer's Scotland. Frances became an Alzheimer's activist and attended many training events and conferences, and even took part in the filming of a guide which is used to train nurses and doctors who come into contact with those affected by dementia. Frances made the most of the time she had left, and her main regret was no longer being able to watch her grandchildren grow up, or taking part in the lives of her brother Jim's children, or watching her sister Sally becoming an amazing grandmother. Frances lived to help others, especially children, and the only bitterness or traces of disappointment arose when she thought about how much of her children and her extended families children's lives she would miss.
Frances McCann is gone too soon, but in term's of her life with Alzheimer's she was ready to leave it behind. Alzheimer's took over a decade to remove all of the things from Frances' life that she loved, all of the little pleasures she enjoyed; from reading books, to long walks, to going to the cinema, travelling to far off places and finally enjoying listening to music. All of these pleasures were took from her alongside her ability to communicate and enjoy her life, her family and her friends. One by one these simple things slipped from her consciousness.
Frances wouldn't want her family and friends to remember the later years, in fact Frances would think someone writing an obituary for her would be ridiculous and a waste of time, because Frances never thought she was important. Frances always thought everyone else was important, and she also had an ability to convey this feeling to others, to let people know they were important and special. Frances would tell everyone they they could do and be whatever they wanted, but they would have to work for it, and if they didn't succeed then they would learn from trying and they would be a better person for the effort. Frances never felt this way about herself, but she was special, and she will be greatly missed.

Frances McCann's funeral will take place on Friday 8th of September at 6pm at St Roch's RC, Royston Road.
The main service will be on Saturday the 9th September at 10am at St Roch's, with a ceremony taking place at Daldowie Crematorium at 11am also on the 9th September. The family would invite people to join them for the service, and also to the Mail Coach Inn, Hamilton Road after the service at Daldowie.

Frances would prefer not to have flowers, she had a very sensitive nose and would much prefer people donated to Alzheimer's Scotland than 'waste money' on flowers. We will be collecting donations after the services or feel free to donate online.

http://www.alzscot.org/donate