Elise Franklin

Julianne Elise Franklin, passed away on November 10 in Burnaby General Hospital.

Elise was born on December 23, 1928, in Mckague, Saskatchewan and is predeceased by her parents Margarite (nee Bogaert) and Alois Sabbe. Her husband of 63 years, Fredrick Thomas Franklin; sister-in-law Gwendolyn, brother Morris, sisters Marie, Elza, Godelieve and Alma, and daughter Teresa Zagar in August 2024.

Elise leaves behind her only surviving sister Germaine Fraser; Elises’s two children Lesley Franklin (Randy Woodside) and Blair Franklin (Christine), and Son in-law Mark Zagar. Six grandchildren, Vanessa Melle, Ashley Melle, Kyle Franklin, Erin Blanksma (nee Franklin), Michael and Graham Zagar; and their spouses Douglas Peterson, Lisa Franklin, Garett Blanksma, Sara Zagar, Dusanka Zagar, nine great-grandchildren August and Ruth Melle, Finley and Lark Peterson-Melle, Zachary and Jeremy Franklin, Max, Callie and Jett Blanksma, and Ilya Zagar.

Elise grew up in The Pas Manitoba, and she graduated at the age of 16. After working at the Royal Bank in Flin Flon,  she moved to Vancouver where Elise met her future husband, Fred. They were married in 1951. Fred and Elise created memorable experiences with travels to visit family, cruises with friends, RV camping to enjoy their shared passion – golf! They were devoted to parents and grandparents cheering on the sidelines of many family football, baseball or soccer games. Elise was a whiz with a pair of knitting needles. She and Fred found joy in preparing meals for important family gatherings. Elise was an exceptional woman in her passionate pursuit of an active lifestyle 360 days @ year. Walking was a daily habit until she struggled with mobility which she always referred to as “a temporary setback”.

Elise found great comfort in her rosary at bedtime, praying for her present family and those passed on. As a parishioner at St. Judes Church in East Vancouver she volunteered and participated socially in the community.

Catholic funeral mass, Saint Jude’s Shrine, 3078 Renfrew St. at 11:00am, November 26, 2025 followed by Internment at Ocean View Cemetery

A Celebration of her life reception to follow at 12:00 at the Italian Cultural Center, 3075 Slocan St.