Obituary of Frances Julia Kilcup

On February 4, 2018, heaven welcomed home a new angel. Frances Julia (Cairns) Kilcup, age 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence in the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home, surrounded by her loving family and the caring staff. Born January 18, 1924 in Saint John, she was the daughter of the late DeWitt T. Cairns and Irene (Seamans) Cairns. Frances was a graduate of the Art Program at the Saint John Vocational School, where she studied under Violet Gillett and Julia Crawford. She was a fine artist. She was an accomplished violinist, who trained under Professor W. Bowden. She played, for a time, with the Saint John Symphony Orchestra. Frances was a devoted and loving mother to Brenda (the late Daniel) Breen, Gerald Kilcup, Dianne (Douglas) Carlisle and Karen Foster. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren: Ryan (Krista), Garth and Stephen Carlisle of Fredericton, Danielle (Steve) Robinson of Fredericton, Matthew Foster of Manitoba and Kate Breen of Saint John, her great grandchildren: Brayden and Allie Robinson, Aedyn Carlisle and Isabelle Breen. She is survived as well by her sister-in-law Ruth Cairns, brother-in-law George Polley, son-in-law Danny Foster, special friend of the family Stephen Stein and many nieces, nephews and members of her extended family. Frances was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son Gerald Kilcup, her brothers: DeWitt and Stanley Cairns, her sisters; Doris Vincent and Constance Polley. Frances chose to devote all her energies to raising her children. In her later years, she took up art with the generous support of the Church Home, where, for a number of years, she had a studio in the Gingerbread Room which she enjoyed "so very, very, very much" (Her favourite thank you!) Profound "Thanks" from Frannie’s family to all the staff and caregivers who provided such love and support for her over the years and to her grieving family in our most difficult time. They are an amazing group of people. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) where family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, February 8 from 2-4 and 6-8. A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, February 9 at 12 Noon from Brenan’s Chapel. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home or to a charity of donor’s choice.