Frances Rita Louise Hocking (nee Massey)

God has called her home with arms wide open. Frances Rita Louise Hocking (nee Massey) said her final goodbye on November 13, 2024, to join her beloved Robert Hocking (Bob) and son Barry Anderson along with the many other loved ones who left before her. 

The small and mighty Franny was the fourteenth of fifteen children gifted to loving parents Dennis Massey & Elizabeth St Jean. Our feisty and fiercely proud mother leaves in God’s care her remaining children, Allan Anderson, Elizabeth Rae Kerr (Dave), Connie McFarland (Tim) and Robert Hocking (Vivian), along with a gaggle of her favorite grandchildren (they were all her favorite): Candace Anderson (for whom she was a second mom), Alana Allen, Trevor Allen, Eric Anderson, Ian Anderson, Kate McFarland, Thomas McFarland, Mackenzie Anderson, Ryleigh Anderson, Ella Hocking, Clara Hocking and Lily Hocking, and great-grandchildren Mia, Ivy, Caysen, Ryan and Amber. Aunt Frances wishes a fond farewell to her many cherished nieces and nephews and promises to say hi for them when she joins her many brothers and sisters. As Trev said, “who would have thought the runt of the litter would outlast them all.” 

Frances (aka Mom, Franny, Granny, Aunt Frances, just-don’t-call-me-late-for-dinner), was born on May 16th, 1931, in Arnprior, Ontario. She came of age in Ottawa, where she married Ray Anderson and raised her family. Perhaps being ‘almost’ the baby of the family explains her feisty resilience but whatever the reason, it served her well when she became a single parent, before she met her beloved Bob Hocking, a man she cherished but to whom she made clear was NOT to discipline her children. They enjoyed many years together surrounded by a growing family. Mom made many friends in her various places of work: waitressing at The Lord Elgin Hotel, working in retail at various stores in Carlingwood Mall, Valdi’s and others. 

She wore her Irish French-Canadian roots like a badge, inflicting her father’s wit and her mother’s grace on everyone she met. Some of her witty banter cannot be published here and she hopes that God forgives her, though she readily points out that she never took his name in vain. Oh, and she never drank – she wants us all to know that. She adored watching sports, especially hockey and football, and this is where, witnesses say, her verbal acuity was most evident, most saucy. She was a regular at her grandson Trevor’s games where she could he heard reacting to plays. quite loudly and very clearly. Among her other passions was shopping at St Vincent de Paul and Neighborhood Services where she bought knick-knacks and Bob bought books. It is a mystery how all that stuff fit in their house before it spilled out onto the lawn to be sold at yet another garage sale. 

She always said that as a single parent she had to be both mother and father. And so, she ruled with a certain ‘authority’ … aided by an eighteen-inch ruler. Happily, that went missing well before times changed and corporal punishment went out of fashion. Perhaps the only one to challenge her authority was her God, whom she loved fully and completely and on whose word she very much depended. Our hearts are made lighter knowing she is with Him now. 

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the love of a mother. ~ Therese of Lisieux 

The family would like to thank the staff of Extendicare Medex as well as Dr Belanger for the exceptional care and many kindnesses they showed Franny over these last few years. It was a great gift to witness the deep caring she received. We wish we could name you all. 

A funeral mass will be held in her honor at 11am on Nov 23rd at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 1060 Baseline Road, Ottawa. She will be interred at a later date in her beloved Arnprior, Malloch Rd cemetery. 

Mom donated to several charities, not able to choose just one. So in lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing. There is always need everywhere. 

~ Our hearts are heavy but full with love and gratitude. God bless you Mom ~