Monday, January 14, 2019
Dearest Berthiaume Family, I first met Fran in 1982 when I went to visit her and her beloved Aurele with my best friend Donna. Having come from a home where siblings and parents weren�t very close and relationships were tense, I wasn�t prepared for what I encountered. From the day I walked in, I was welcomed into a huge, busy family where people laughed and loved, and noise and friendship was everywhere. I was not only welcomed back, and went back for years, I was welcomed into your amazing family, and made to feel like a daughter by Fran. I can�t tell you the profound affect that this and Frannie�s frankness, opinions and humour has had on my life. I raised my children differently than I think I would have if I had not had the connection that Fran gave me to family life where it�s perfectly OK to live, laugh, argue and make noise. The first time I met Fran, Donna and I had driven to Windsor from Trenton and arrived around supper time. Only Bub and Sticker were living at home, but many of the other boys were dropping in for one reason or another. Something was bubbling in a huge pot on the stove. I remember Frannie asking who was staying for supper, and the first answer from everybody was: �What�s for supper?� When she announced �Tuna Casserole�, there was quickly one reason or another for departures. When I asked for seconds I had the distinct impression that someone was going to call a crisis intervention team to take me away. I remember Michael getting up from the table to scrape his leftover food into the garbage and Fran telling him to give it to the dog. Michael�s response was: �What did the dog ever do to you?� Thanks to Fran, I always make sure there is something in my stomach if I�m drinking, I know how to signal my partner in Euchre, and I know how to make my children feel better when they think their world is falling apart. To Fran Berthiaume. One class act. Kathy Smith Winnipeg, MB
