Carol Francisco

FRANCISCO, Carol Ann, passed peacefully January 30, 2014, at PRHC, after a short but courageous fight with cancer at age 64. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, to the late Frank Francisco of Cesa, Italy and Irene Francisco (née Magocs) of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Beloved wife of John Forde of Peterborough, and step-mother to Lindsay Forde (John), Pete Forde and Matt Cragg (Rebecca). Greatly missed by her brothers and sisters: Susan Francisco, Frank Francisco (Donna), John Francisco and Valerie Coton (née Francisco; Paul). Cherished aunt of Theresa, John-Austen, Mia, Naomi, Dimitri and Bianca.

Carol's dad was a Major in the US Army Corp of Engineers, so she grew up in Germany, Taiwan, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and finally Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There she attended Liberty High School, before heading to Philadelphia to attend the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. Carol headed north to the Peterborough area with her friends from Tyler in the late 1970s. A talented graphic designer/illustrator, she worked at several marketing firms before starting her own graphic design company, Francisco Creative Images, in Peterborough.
Carol was an accomplished fine artist, focusing on botanical studies, Japanese brush painting, life drawing and portraiture. She participated in local artist groups in Peterborough and Port Credit, where she and John divided their time in recent years. Carol made many friends through her love of art, music and culture, and in her last days enjoyed recounting her many travels, canoeing/camping trips and adventures with family and friends.

Since 1979 Carol has been a dedicated practitioner of the Taoist Tai Chi arts of health, and a founding member of the Peterborough Branch of Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi. She was a generous, thoughtful, inspiring volunteer instructor, and a valued contributor to the Central Region (Ontario & Manitoba) Management and Instruction Committees, following the example of Master Moy Lin Shin, founder of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society and Fung Loy Kok (FLK) Institute of Taoism. Carol was well known throughout the Peterborough Branch, Central Region, Canada and across the globe, through her 30+ years of dedicated service to the Society.

A private celebration of Carol’s life will take place Sat., Feb. 22. She will later find her rest in the Columbarium at the International Taoist Tai Chi Quiet Cultivation Centre, east of Orangeville, ON. Her family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Gilles-Doyle, Dr. Kelly Parks and the wonderful nursing staff in D2. In lieu of flowers, Carol’s family suggests a donation to the Palliative Care Unit at PRHC, or to FLK.

Place Of Birth: Stuttgart, Germany High School: Liberty High School College: Tyler School of Art – Temple University Place Of Work: graphic designer / illustrator Spouse: John C. Forde Wedding Date: 1996-05-18 Children: Lindsay & Pete Forde, Matt Cragg Interests/Hobbies: Taoist Tai Chi, travelling, gardening, canoeing, camping, fine art, photography, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, animals

Burial Date: February 22, 2014