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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
LANG, Frances Elizabeth (née SHIELDS) - "I have had a long and happy life." 99 years. Frances died peacefully at Belmont House after a day with family and no bad animals under the bed. She accepted the challenges of her last years with humour (mostly), courage and grace. Her greatest joy was her family. She leaves her children and their partners, Dan (Donna), David (Lorna), Nancy, Janet (Bill) Young; her 9 grandchildren, Peter and Catherine Lang, Jane, Virginia (Edward Krajcik), and Franny (Reilly Amos) Lang, Lloyd (Amanda Pereira) and Daniel Martin (Linnea Coveney), Nicky and Sarah Young; and 3 great-grandchildren, Hayley, Rowan and Cooper. Frances was predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years, Senator Daniel A Lang (d. 1997); her brother, John B. Shields; her daughter, Heather Frances; and granddaughter, Jennifer Frances Martin. Frances was raised in Toronto, attended Deer Park, St. Clement's and U.C. at the University of Toronto. Her academic concentration in languages led to her recruitment by the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service) in WWII, where she used her German in Naval Intelligence. Frances was a beauty, inside and out. She gave the best of herself to nurture a loving family and took a genuine interest in everyone she met. Always a giver, she put others ahead of herself, quietly supporting those in need with a phone call or a note. They knew they mattered. Frances had a rich and full life, an active volunteer in her community and in her husband's political life in the Liberal Party and the Senate. She devoted herself to his care in his final years. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Sara Wainberg and the staff at The Belmont House where Frances moved 10 years ago with her beloved cat, Snuggles. Belmont has done everything possible to safeguard residents during the pandemic. The family is forever indebted to Simone Kassim, Kerry Harrison, Annabelle Trabucon and Bene Artates whose dedication, friendship and humor enriched and extended her life by years. "I am just an old trout!" Frances would say. She was anything but. The epitome of warmth, grace and elegance, she was beloved by everyone who knew her. She will be missed. A celebration of Frances's life will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 2 p.m., Christ Church Deer Park. (The Globe and Mail 27 Aug 2022)
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