Fran Thorlakson

June 23, 1935 – February 10, 2021

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Fran Thorlakson, wife, mother, grannie, sister, aunt, and friend.  Fran passed peacefully in her home on February 10, 2021.

Fran was born in Greenwood BC on June 23, 1935 and grew up there and in Princeton. She moved to Kelowna in 1953 where she worked at Bon Marche, Royal Bank, and Kelowna General Hospital and was also a CGIT leader.  Fran met Doug Thorlakson in the fall of 1953 and they were married at the First United Church in Kelowna April 20, 1957. They moved to Kamloops in 1959, 100 Mile House in 1961 and then to Lavington in 1962 where they settled to raise their family. In 1976 they built their dream home which was always filled with family, friends, good times, and pool parties, and surrounded by Fran’s beautiful gardens.

Fran was an amazing strong woman whose greatest joy was being mother and grandmother, and who was fondly thought of as a mother-figure by many more than her girls.  She was a brownie leader, guide leader, and PTA member and member of the Queen Silver Star committee. She was very creative and made many amazing May Day costumes for her daughters and others, and she made beautiful themed birthday and special occasion cakes for everyone. She was also an amazing seamstress making many clothes for herself and her girls, as well as many May Day royalty dresses, grad dresses, wedding dresses, and Queen Silver Star contestant’s dresses. Fran’s creativity led to owning her own business The Creative Niche for several years in the 80s.

Although not-overly-fond of animals Fran always indulged her girls and usually had at least a few pets in and around the house.  The most memorable being our Carla bird and her little Pooky dog.

Over the years Fran travelled to many places including Europe, Egypt, China, Iceland, Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. She was very fond of Palm Springs and especially enjoyed when her girls and grandkids joined them in their travels.

Fran was predeceased by her parents and her brothers John and Joe.  She is survived by her loving husband Doug; daughters Penny (Paul), Denice (Steve), and Sylvia all of Vernon; grandchildren Kayla and Parker; sister Vi and brother George (Linda); and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dyck, the community care nurses, and the team of incredibly loving care-givers who made mom’s final years as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

She will be forever missed by so many.

A celebration of life will be held when conditions allow.
Arrangements entrusted to Vernon Funeral Home  250-542-0155  Condolences may be left at www.vernonfuneralhome.com