Francheville (Kinney), Laura Elizabeth Jane October 28, 1921 – March 28, 2017 In her 96th year, Laura has played her last slam at bridge and the caregivers at Milford Haven Home have picked her cards off the floor for the last time. Laura passed away at Guysborough Memorial Hospital on Tuesday March 28, 2017. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and the fourth child of the late Edith (Kinney) and William Randall Kinney of Linwood, Antigonish County. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband William in 1998, as well as siblings Lester, Edna, Gladys Daynes, Bertha Davies, Beatrice Nichols, Harriet and Tom. Laura grew up on the family farm in Linwood and she always attributed her longevity to working hard and eating "real" food as a youngster. When she finished school in Linwood she moved to Guysborough for employment where she worked for Mr. and Mrs. Chris Jost. Auspiciously, the Josts’ next-door neighbors were Chris and Edith Francheville and their son William. Laura and Billy were married on June 17, 1942 when they moved to their house on Main Street where they lived for the 55 years of their marriage. In 1955 her mother-in-law suffered a severe stroke; Laura took her into the family home and cared for her until her death seven years later, this while also raising her children, one a toddler. She always regretted that she had not graduated from high school. When her son Charlie was in Grade 11 she began studying English with him and she was successful in passing the Provincial English exam. She continued on taking courses and eventually earned her Grade 12 provincial certificate. Laura and Billy initiated the restoration of the historic cemetery surrounding Christ Church in their earlier years – they both worked diligently at this for many years and she was so pleased when members of the Guysborough Historical Society spearheaded the second phase of the project in 2014. Laura was actively involved and an inspiration to others in many volunteer organizations throughout her long life. She was a member of the Red Cross, Home and School Association, School Band Support Group, the Auxiliary of the Guysborough Fire Department, Guysborough and Area Garden Club, Sedabooktook Arts and Crafts and was a life member of the Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was an accomplished craftsperson and various crafts she produced, including argyle socks, were sold to support her beloved Christ Church. She served as church treasurer and was Synod delegate. She was past curator and longtime faithful supporter of Guysborough Historical Society for which she accepted a lifetime membership in 2012. She loved history, especially of a local nature, and was an avid reader. She also loved bridge and played regularly for the past 70 years and, thankfully, was able to play up until her passing and even then she was able to keep all players above board. For the past seven years Laura received wonderful care from the Guysborough County Home Support caregivers, Continuing Care nurses as well as Meals on Wheels volunteers, for which the family is truly thankful; this enabled her to live independently in her own apartment where she so enjoyed her nightly card games with the other residents. Sadly her health deteriorated in the summer of 2016 when she became wheelchair dependent; however this did not quell her feisty spirit of independence – Laura would do what Laura wanted to do, and that was that. She moved to Milford Haven Home for Special Care in the fall of 2016 and so enjoyed taking part in their many social activities. Her caregivers at Milford Haven are truly special people who made her time there very comfortable and enjoyable; for this the family is also thankful. Her final days were spent in Guysborough Memorial Hospital, the hospital that she thought so highly of, where she passed away peacefully after receiving the very best of care and compassion from the exceptional doctors and nurses – she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Laura leaves behind her three children, Edith (Jim) Steffens, Hubley; Charles (Susan), Fall River; and Evelyne (Gerry) Jamieson, Guysborough; her grandchildren, whom she was so proud of, Edward Rushton (Heidi) and children, Madeleine and Max; Christopher Francheville and son, Andriel; Andrea Francheville McGibbon (Aubrie); Carla Francheville and sons, Noah and Aaron William; Collette Francheville (Kevin) and son, Connor; Alanna Jamieson (Brent) and children, Elin and Gabriel; Jennifer Jamieson (Neil) and Geoffrey Jamieson (Patty) and sons, Jesse and Alex. Visitation will be held Friday, April 28 from 3-8 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough. Funeral service will be held at Wesley United Church, Guysborough on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 with Rev. Sue Channen officiating assisted by Vonda George-Card. Interment to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A reception will follow at DesBarres Manor. Family flowers only please; donations may be made in Laura’s memory to Christ Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 48, Guysborough, NS B0H 1N0 if so desired. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Friday, April 28, 2017 Visitation Time 3-8 p.m Visitation Location . in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough Service Information Service Date Saturday, April 29, 2017 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location Wesley United Church, Guysborough Burial Information Burial Date Saturday, April 29, 2017 Burial Time Following the funeral service Burial Location Evergreen Cemetery, Guysborough