Frances Margaret DePape (McNeil) passed away peacefully on March 2, 2014. Fran was born in Esterhazy, SK on May 19, 1948 to Charles and Margaret (Ryan) McNeil, and was the third of six children. She grew up in a number of communities including Kennedy, Tantallon, Hazel Cliffe, Bear Creek, Dubuc, and Grayson as the family followed her dad's work on the railway. In April of 1962, the McNeil family finally settled into Churchbridge, making it her home for the rest of her life. She attended elementary and high school in Kennedy, Dubuc, Grayson and Churchbridge. After high school, she moved to Regina where she completed a hairdressing course at Marvel Beauty School. After meeting her soul mate at a Catholic Youth Organization meeting in Langenburg in 1963, Fran married Jim DePape, on February 5, 1966 and they enjoyed 47 years of unending love. Together, they proudly raised four boys in Churchbridge, where she instilled in them, strong moral and family values. Fran's greatest love was sharing her boys' successes and accomplishments with anyone who would listen. Fran's life revolved around her family and was a gifted homemaker and caregiver, spending most of her time attending the boys' events and activities. She was the greatest hockey mom to ever grace a rink and truly loved watching hockey, even getting up early to watch Canada win the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics. To help supplement the family income, Fran worked for a number of years in the 1980's and 1990's as the caretaker at the Churchbridge High School. She was an active member of the church and extremely faithful, always putting her trust in God that He would choose her path. Fran was very proud of her Cape Breton heritage and always maintained a strong connection to her Scottish and Irish roots. She absolutely loved the bagpipes, playing the spoons and dancing a jig. For most of her life she enjoyed spending time at the lake, watching hockey, crocheting, reading, playing cards and, of course, going for coffee with her great friends. Later in life, she relished her time with her grandchildren and her love for them was unquestionable. Nana would light up every time they came into the room. She loved watching them play and grow. She couldn't wait for them to get to the lake where she would have them measured on their individual posts on the deck and celebrate how much they grew from the previous summer. As Jim approached retirement, they spent most of the winter season in Weslaco, TX. She made so many wonderful friends at Magic Valley and they became her second family. There was nothing better for her than sitting on her deck visiting with them during "happy hour". Fran fought so hard to make a life for herself after Jim's passing in April, 2013 but their unbreakable love meant that she could not live without him, and there is comfort in knowing that they are together again for eternity. Fran was predeceased by the love of her life, Jim; her parents, Charles and Margaret; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Mary (Buchberger) DePape; sister-in-law, Marlene (Picker) DePape; brother-in-law, Gerald Schaan; and niece, Lori Morash. Fran will be missed more than words can describe by her loving children, Dale (Veronica), Darin (Jodi), Dean (Kami), and Davey (Bonnie); grandchildren, Catlin (Nicole), Dalaney, Kael, Myah, McKena, Lexi and Lila; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Gavin, Kayne and Owen; step-mother, Pat McNeil; brother, Wally (Shirley) McNeil; sister, Eileen McNeil; sister Sheila (Don) Morash; brother, Mike (Cindy) McNeil; brother, Albert (Sharon) McNeil; brother-in-law, Daniel DePape; brother-in-law, Joe (Elaine) DePape; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Schaan; sister-in-law, Doris (Al) Zandee; and many nieces and nephews. Prayer Services were held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish in Langenburg, SK. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 14, 2014 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish in Langenburg, SK. Father Rick Krofchek officiated at both services and the music was led by St. Joseph's Folk Group. The interment followed in the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Langenburg, SK with Doug McNeil, Dan McNeil, Ken Zandee, Wayne Zandee, Doug Reddick and Pat Johnson serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
