Obituary of Joan Frang nee Hillaby

Joan was the eldest daughter of Lena (Olsen) and Harold Hillaby born on January 8, 1940 in Camrose, Alberta. Beloved sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she passed away at the age of 75 at St. Mary's Hospital on April 21, 2015. Joan began life on a farm south of Ohaton, Alberta with her two brothers, Arlyn and Allan, and sister Dorothy. She attended Heatherbrae School up to Grade 5 and took her remaining schooling in Bawlf. Graduating in 1959 she then moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to pursue her dream of a sewing career at the Madeline Hunts Sewing School. Her studies were cut short when the school was relocated to Toronto. Deciding that she did not want to move east she remained in Saskatoon and worked at the new Hudson Bay store for 4 years. In 1960 Joan married and had 3 boys Donald, Douglas and Wayne Spence. In 1969, she moved with her boys to Camrose, Alberta. In 1972 she married Clayton Frang and the family farmed in Ferintosh and Sunset House, Alberta. Joan and Clay had three daughters Anita, Shauna and Monica and returned to the Camrose area in 1980 living on an acreage just north of Miquleon Lake before moving back to Camrose. Most recently she lived in Daysland, including 4 years at Providence Place, and enjoyed being near her sister Dorothy and her sister-in-law Alice. She taught Sunday School at the Spilstead Church and belonged to the Legions Women's Auxiliary in Bawlf. She was a gifted sewer tackling snowsuits and graduation dresses. She enjoyed reading, country music, baking, gardening and researching her family genealogy. In 1983 Joan started working at the newly opened Zellers for the Christmas season and worked there for over 30 years making many lifelong friends. Joan was diagnosed with kidney cancer in early 2010. With a toughness that she was known for she fought fiercely the disease and the challenges that came with it including the removal of a kidney, overcoming a brain tumor that resulted in the total loss of her hair, and the spreading of tumors to multiple organs. She lived on her own until being hospitalized in March and actively fundraised for cancer research. She participated in the Camrose Relay for Life and was featured in Calendars For a Cure. Left to celebrate her memory are siblings Allan and Dorothy (Eric), sister-in-law Alice, her six children Donald (Lorraine), Douglas (Gail), Wayne, Anita (William), Shauna, and Monica; six grandchildren Diana (Danny), Debbie (Jonathan), Dawn Ann, Denise, Adam, and Noah; and six great grandchildren Zander, Dakeyras, Kyra, Daes, Deegan, and TJ; and many other family members and friends. Joan was predeceased by her parents, her brother Arlyn, sister-in-law Josie, and husband Clay. Funeral Services were held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., from The Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bill Harder officiating. You were invited to join the family for fellowship and refreshments at the Masonic Hall immediately following the service. Interment followed after the luncheon in The Skafse Cemetery. If friends so desire memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to The Camrose Relay for Life.