ALBINATI, Frances Emily

Frances Emily Albinati

July 10, 1928 – September 4, 2020

“She left pieces of her life behind her everywhere she went. It’s easier to feel the sunlight without them, she said.”

-Brian Andreas

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”
-Henry David Thoreau Walden 

Frances Albinati (nee Smith) passed away peacefully on September 4, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 92.

Frances was born July 10, 1928 in Dauphin, Manitoba and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. She was the fourth of six siblings who, no matter where they were in the world, remained close throughout their lives in celebration and support of one another.

Frances had remarkable physicality: in speed as a runner, deceptively strong muscles (shovelling snow well into her 80s), and graceful beauty. She was an excellent student and Strathcona Senior High School Valedictorian. She married Jack Cameron in 1948 and they had three daughters, Rachel, Leah & Sydney. After Jack’s death, Frances married Albert Albinati in 1968 and their son, Andre Albinati was born. Frances embraced her newly expanded family and gamely embarked on both a life of farming and ranching in Northern Alberta (where she could occasionally be heard yodelling from the barn loft), and ‘big-city condo’ living in Calgary (a consummate, stylish host for a steady stream of friends and family). They later retired to Lac Ste. Anne, or as Frances affectionately named their lake home, ‘Walden West.’ In their later years, Albert and Frances were welcomed to Ottawa to live a happily multi-generational life with family there.

Frances was a wife, sister, mother, aunt, and friend who, throughout her life, amazed those around her with her outstanding creative ability as a homemaker, gourmet cook, entertainer and seamstress. She nurtured connections with people – from “little persons” (the Smith family’s reference to children), to peers, to seniors she visited through church outreach; recognizing the beauty in the world and acknowledging joy through her trademark exclamation - “Wheeeee!”

In her heart she was a poet, a beatnik, a bohemian – Madame Butterfly the soundtrack of her life.

Frances is survived by her siblings Margaret Torrance, Shirley Carpenter and Norma Smith; her children Leah (Dave), Sydney, and Andre (Corianne); her son-in-law Glenn Cameron; six grandchildren and three great-grand children. Frances was predeceased by her husband Albert Albinati (2020), her daughter Rachel Cameron (2020), and her brothers Murray Smith (2018) and Frank Smith (2013).

A special thank you to the residents and care giving staff at Extendicare-Medex. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Reaching New Heights, a fundraiser for Frances’ grandson, Hollis, to help support his mobility and independence. Condolences may be made at the Funeral Cooperative of Ottawa.

“Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste

And I had put away

My labor and my leisure too,

For His Civility –“

- Emily Dickinson