Obituary of Francine Shea

Shea, Francine Mary Louise – age 65 years of Lunenburg; passed away on August 10, 2013 at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Born in Glace Bay, NS on April 29, 1948; she was the daughter of the late Francis and Margaret (Hurst) Misener. Fran was an extravagant woman. She lived life large... with high spirits, big ideas, healthy appetites and abundant love for her family and friends. If she liked you, nothing was too good. If you ran afoul of her, she was a daunting adversary. She was extravagant, but not thoughtless. Her enthusiasms were many and she followed them with great energy and good humour. A past commodore, she was a boon to the Nova Scotia Schooner Association. She sailed “Cheers”, which Bart and she had built together, to many victories. Her greatest extravagance was generosity. She loved to give gifts, and never really needed a reason. She’d see something beautiful, think “I know who’d love that” and she’d buy it and give it to them. You learned not to admire an object in her house to much, because she’d just give it to you. It was hard to gift her back. She was better at giving than receiving. She loved to fill her house with friends and deliver a feast to the table. She loved laughter and good times, and for her these usually involved lots of people. Fran had legions of friends, and tended these friendships carefully. Fran had a great eye. She loved beautiful things, and gathered them around her with a restless sense of what was right for this or that room. All of her homes were full of light and charm. They were always evolving, and yet always looked finished. She patronized many local artists and artisans, and showed their work to great advantage. In business, Fran was ethical and forthright. And she was very successful. She was sensitive to others and often questioned herself, always seeking to understand the other and to do the right thing. First among Fran’s loves was her family. When she lost Bart, she faced that grief with great courage, and was just beginning to look at the horizon with new optimism when she received the grave diagnosis about her own health. Those close to her in these last months were amazed by her dauntless courage and good humour. Her concerns were mostly for others, especially her sons Liam and Brian. She never ever faltered in her support and love for them. Fran Shea was larger than life. The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness when it is extinguished. To know her was to feel a little more alive and engaged in this place, these people, this way of life. She was everything good about Nova Scotia; salty, forthright, honest, kind and brave … and extravagant. That part was pure Francine. In keeping with Fran’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the VON Lunenburg County Division. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Funeral Home, Berwick Chapel (538-9900)