Eloise (Lois) Fawcett (nee Donaldson), of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully at the age of 78.
Born to the late Archie and Verna Donaldson on Oct. 23, 1930 in Creston, B.C., she was predeceased by her husband, Donald Fawcett, on April 26, 1993.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Lorna, Wilma, Freda, Bernice, and Peggy; and brothers, Bud and Vernon.
She is survived by her sons, Scott and spouse, Colleen, of Windsor, Ont. and Howard and spouse, Jennifer Lien, of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are her sisters, Eve Thompson of Vancouver, B.C. and Jean Niblow of Victoria, B.C.; brother-in-law, Rod of Vancouver, B.C.; nephews, Gary and Glenn Fawcett and his wife, Marie Louise, of Vancouver, B.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lois and Don met in Vancouver and were joined in marriage on May 18, 1956 in Winnipeg, Man. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Fort Frances and together they built Fawcett Broadcasting into a chain of nine radio stations that pioneered local radio service in several small communities in Northwestern Ontario.
After Don’s passing, Lois assumed the role of president of the company—a post she held until she retired and sold Fawcett Broadcasting to her son, Howard.
During more than 40 years in the broadcasting industry, they made numerous great friends from coast to coast in Canada and to the Gulf of Mexico.
Lois loved fishing and playing all card games, and especially enjoyed her Bridge Club. She also loved trips to the casinos with friends and her sisters.
Lois was devoted to her family and friends, and was at her happiest when her home was full of her family, her friends, or her sons’ friends.
To quote a friend, “Lois had a tremendous sense of humour and a great zest for life.”
Friends are invited to a celebration of Lois’ life on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The honourary pallbearers will be Gord and Marj McTaggart, Joan Allison, Dorothy and Lowell Blais, Ann Benham, Albert, Kathy, John, and Wendy Brunetta, Nancy Daley-Fulton, Jack and Sandra Cox, Karen and Mary Lee Davies, Ian McDonald, Vi Domanski, Eddie and Claudia Domanski, Sheila East, Cheryl and Bruce Goldamer, Pat and Hoyt Huntus, Faye Gasparini, Bruce and Lois Holmlund, Lynn Kehler, Larry and Joan Lamb, Roma Madill, Gladis Martin, Kathie and Jeff Morlock, Ken and Gail Mosher, Ross and Mary Jane Pearson, Dale and Shirley Ross, Rita Ruelle, Jerry Shermoen, Julie and Sandy Smith, Jas and Elaine Spencer, Jane Seus, Helen Swift, Kelsey Saunders, and Allan and Jayne Wyder.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be sent to the La Verendrye General Hospital Intensive Care Unit, 110 Victoria Avee., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.