Obituary of Frances Presley

Peacefully, at her late residence, Toronto, on December 10, 2021, with family, Frances Mary Presley, age 83. Frances was born April 4, 1938 in Rosamond Memorial Hospital, Almonte, to Wilfred & Mary (Burns) Colton. She grew up in a family of 13, on a farm on Upper Dwyer Hill Rd, where early education was in an old 1-room schoolhouse (S.S.#3 Fitzroy). After Arnprior & District High School, Frances worked to put herself through Teacher’s College in Ottawa, and took short-term teaching positions in Arnprior, Guelph, Whitby, and Bramalea, before making her home in Cobourg with the love of her life, Raymond Howard Presley. She loved little kids, and taught a combined grades 1 & 2 class at Charles R. Gummow Public School for the rest of her career, retiring after 34 yrs. She continued working with little kids at St Michael’s RC Church, and regularly canvassed for cancer research, but she especially enjoyed walking 5+ miles a day through Cobourg with her beloved dog Shazam. In 2009, after developing mobility issues, she moved to Toronto to live beside her son Howard, and spent the rest of her life in his care there. Frances was a quiet, good-natured soul who led a quiet life; she was much loved and will be missed. She is survived by sons Howard Presley (Jeffery Train) of Toronto and Randy Siroski of Renfrew; siblings Maryalice (late Wilfred Nugent), Frank (Helen), Sarah (Bob Woodley), George (Shirley Dawn), Clare (Roger Brooking), Owen (Marilyn) and Martha, as well as 45 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Raymond (Mar 13, 1981), her parents, and brothers Burns, Jim (the late Cecile) and Leo. A private celebration of Frances’ life will take place at St. Peter Celestine Church, Pakenham, on Friday, Dec 17, followed by interment at Malloch Road Cemetery, Arnprior. In memoriam donations to your local Humane Society appreciated. Arrangements in the care of the Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior.