Frances Manson

Frances L Manson

November 12, 1946 - November 13, 2022.

It’s with great sadness that we announce that Frances Louise Manson lost a 5 year battle with IPF on November 13, 2022. A loving mother to son, Harry Manson (Devon), daughter Johanna Manson, and grandmother to Michaela and Meyer Manson.

Survived by her sister Susan Leaver (Murray), brothers David Richards (Brenda), and Gordon Richards (Deborah), she is predeceased by her brother Douglas Richards (Debbie).

Born in Toronto, Fran grew up in Woodstock where she competed and taught swimming through the local Kiwanis Club prior to doing the same for Camp White Pine.  Fran earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario before attending Teachers College and later earned an MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Fran was a huge proponent of championing equity and women’s rights.  While working in Nova Scotia for the department of social services, she contributed significantly to the creation and management of the Cape Breton Transition House whose mission was to provide a safe shelter for women with families escaping violence.  After returning to Ontario in 1987, Fran spent most of her career at Wilfrid Laurier University first as a Career Counselor and later as a Senior HR Consultant focusing in areas of Equity and Discrimination.  Fran created the University’s first official Harassment and Discrimination Policy and sat on numerous Boards and Action Committees advising Students, Faculty, and Staff on various matters of Employment Equity, Affirmative Action, and Employment Standards.

Outside of her professional career, Fran also held a Board Position with the Victim Services of Waterloo Region and, in retirement, was devoted to film and the visual arts while herself becoming an incredibly talented artist whose work was shown in various capacities across Ontario and Florida.

She will be remembered for her warmth, compassion and humour.

For all those who wish to join us in remembrance, a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 27th, 2022 from 1 – 4 pm in the common room at 90 Broadview Avenue, Toronto Ontario.

Those wishing to donate may make donation to the Canadian Lung Association.