In Celebration of

Francesca (Franca) Metcalfe

September 7, 1972 -  May 18, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Francesca Metcalfe, our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021. She left us peacefully, albeit too early at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer that invaded her body but never her spirit.

‘Francalina’ as she was affectionately called, will always live on and be lovingly remembered by her husband of 25 years, Craig; and their children Sophia and Mark, mother Assunta, niece and nephew Sarah & Jonathan, and sister-in-law Paula.

Predeceased by her beloved father Giambattista and her cherished brother Angelo, we are comforted to know they are now reunited, dancing together once again to ‘Volare’.

Franca was the heart and soul not just to her family, but to all those that were fortunate to know her. Ever modest and humble and despite her best efforts, in her own words, to always work in the wings and never ever wanting center stage, Franca was our guide, directing anything and everything, whether it was a family dinner, birthday party, wedding shower or any event that brought together her friends and family whom she loved dearly. We have lost our leader who commanded presence through her tremendous passion, strength, courage, and love. Everyone always followed Franca’s lead, not because she demanded it, but because you knew if Franca wanted it done, it was simply the right thing to do.

Franca never considered herself to be an inspiration despite the many challenges thrown her way, but it could not be helped and was perhaps one of the only times she was unable to get her way. She was and continues to be an inspiration.

Franca had a unique ability to always bring joy into all the lives she touched, whether through her infectious smile and laugh or her unbelievable attention to detail and knowing just what someone needed to feel special and loved. Even after her passing, we look to Franca for the right things to tell ourselves in our time of grief, and we find it through the words that she used herself after the passing of her beloved Father.

“Over the last few years our family has learned that although grief never ends, it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is the last act of love we have to give and it is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith - it is the price of love.”

Although Franca’s passing will most certainly leave many with a void in their hearts, she would want (and we know she is never wrong) for us all to remember to cherish, appreciate and honor her legacy by living life to its fullest which is summed up in one of her favorite quotes “Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

We would like to acknowledge our appreciation for the love and support received from our family and friends during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Franca's memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario.

For those that would like to Live-stream the Funeral Mass, please copy and paste the link below into a new browser window. The Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 11 a.m.

Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZXnQx6TBhA

Guestbook 

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Janet Lovekin (Friend)

Entered May 20, 2021

Dear Craig and family. My most sincere condolences to you. I was just talking about Franca the other day to a friend, remembering all the same places our girls took ballet, sparks, kinder gym etc. My heart is heavy with your grief. Franca will be fondly remembered.

Tim Dooley (Friend)

Entered May 20, 2021 from Cape Coral

My condolences to the Metcalfe family. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Peter & Carol O’Donnell (Great Friends)

Entered May 20, 2021 from Milton

Franca enriched our lives in so many ways .
Our special friendship began with a tragedy and blossomed into a beautiful friendship which has ended way to soon.
God bless you Franca , we love you with all our hearts . Thanks for all you were to us, you brought so much joy & laughter to our lives
So proud to have shared a part of your beautiful life
Always in our hearts
Carol & Pete

Jody and John Marino (Cousin)

Entered May 20, 2021 from Hamilton

Love is Forever and Franca is love

Terri A Moreau (Friend)

Entered May 20, 2021 from Stoney Creek

I am so deeply saddened at the loss of a truly beautiful woman inside & out. Franca could brighten a room with her smile and always make you laugh no matter what the situation. She was kind, thoughtful and a one of a kind. I feel very fortunate to have been blessed to know her and be part of her life. She will be greatly missed by all. May she rest in peace and watch over you, guiding you through life.

Life Stories 

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Paula De Jesus (Sister in Law, Niece, Nephew)

Entered May 23, 2021 from Mississauga

Franca and I first met when I started dating her brother Angelo. Franca was 16 years old, and she was so beautiful with incredible long dark curly hair down to her waist, a sunny disposition and a beautiful smile that lit up a room. We shared so many wonderful Sunday lunches at Pa and Ma’s house together. “Francalina” (a term of endearment that fit her so well and stuck early on in our relationship), would make the most incredible deserts everyone would look forward to! Franca’s brother Angelo would love to tease her with a little mischievous look in his eyes and she would always get him back with a funny comment or fiercely put him in his place! Franca and I would both role up our eyes when Angelo would break out in “Volare” after a few drinks! Franca was Angelo’s amazing sister who he adored, and he would do anything for her!
I remember one Sunday lunch at Ma and Pa’s, Franca seemed a bit nervous and as we were washing the dishes, I asked her “Francalina, what’s up?”. She told me she was going on a date with “this guy” from high school that she had run into at “the hardware store” and she was a little nervous. From that day forward, it was “Francalina & Craigalino” – committed together, the perfect compliment to each other always! Fast forward several years later after our two beautiful weddings and we settled into life as a family, connected through the good times and the challenging times.
So many wonderful memories…..
Raising Sarah, Jonathan, Sophia, and Mark together. Sharing so many celebrations; birthdays, beautiful baptisms, communions and confirmations, anniversaries, weddings, and on and on. Just in our children’s birthdays, we have had 73 celebrations! Vacationing at Sherkston Shores, Aunt Angie’s cottage, the Metcalfe cottage, Florida. Going to the movies together, watching hockey, baseball games, dance recitals, skateboarding lessons, acting classes, countless holidays – watching our beautiful kids thrive and grow! Hanging out together either at Franca’s home or our home until the wee hours on weekends sharing wonderful meals, playing games, watching movies, Netflix, being quiet together in each other’s company, laughing and having fun. So many moments that weaved together creating the tapestry we call family, home, and love.
Franca faced many challenging times with her spinal cord injury, but she was always spirited, brave and a force to be reckoned with! She made the choice to embrace life’s challenges with dignity, pizzazz and a spirit that said, “This is my life and I choose happiness and I chose to love my family and friends!”. Loving, joyful, committed; a loyal mother, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend – that’s our Francalina!
Franca, our commitment to you is that we will continue to live in the spirit of YOU!
We loved you yesterday, we love you today and we will love you tomorrow and always!!
Paula, Sarah, and Jonathan

Photos 

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