Obituary of Harolyn Darlene Franson
Harolyn Darlene Franson left this world peacefully, while listening to Johnny Reid, and surrounded by her loving family on August 2, 2023, in Prince Albert, SK, at the age of 76. Harolyn was born July 8th, 1947, to Arlene (nee Nystrom) and Harold Franson in Rocky Moutain House, Alberta. As a young child they moved to Saskatoon, where she resided until October 2021. After a fall prevented her from continuing to live on her own, she moved to Prince Albert with Leah, until her needs became too much to manage at home. On June 30, 2022, Mont St. Joseph Home in Prince Albert became her new home, where she resided until her passing.
Mom loved shopping at her favorite store, Katie’s Kloset, or just getting out to Market Mall to “window shop”. She was always keeping Joan and Pam on their toes with her frequent purchases and returns. She had various retail jobs throughout the years, which helped her fuel her insatiable desire to buy new outfits! She had an eclectic style; never would you see her in a plain T-shirt. All outfits consisted of bright colors and wild patterns. Every outfit had earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace to match. Lipstick (always kept in the fridge), and earrings were a must. She never forgot her lipstick but if she did happen to leave the house without earrings, she would just buy a new pair! The color didn’t stop with her clothing. She always had a funky color in her bangs, and in most recent years was always adorned with bright blue! Mom had an extensive collection of earrings; at one time she had two tall rotating floor stands and she had them both full. Walking into her bedroom was like walking into a store!
When living in Saskatoon and surrounded by many of her friends, her mornings would start with a walk in the neighborhood before heading to Market Mall for her daily coffee visit and shop about. No matter the occasion, Mom had a card for that. Her love for shopping extended into a love for gift giving. You could never visit Mom without leaving with multiple bags of trinkets that she’d either bought for herself and didn’t want or simply bought to give away.
However great her love of fashion, greater was her love of music. From AC/DC to Johnny Cash, no genre was off limits. A few of her favourites were ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen, Jim Reeves, Loretta Lynn, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Bay City Rollers, Burton Cummings, and of course her greatest crush, Johnny Reid. She was always tapping her fingers or moving her feet to the beat of the music. Many visits with Mom were spent quietly enjoying one’s company and listening to one of her many CDs.
Despite a life filled with many struggles, both in her younger years and most recently due to chronic pain, she always had a positive outlook, and was genuine in her love and care for her family. Stubborn and spunky (she was a Cancer after all), she was never afraid to speak her mind and be true to who she was in all aspects of her life.
Harolyn is survived by her three children; daughter, Leah (Morris Bruce) Smith; and sons, Robert (Bridget) Smith, and Darren (Lisa Pryor) Smith; loving brother, Grant (Leona Boyer) Franson; nieces, Hannah Franson, and Kaylene (Kristian) Towele; great niece, Ryleigh; grandchildren, Brittney Zaleschuk, and Karlyn Zaleschuk; great-grandchildren, Beverly Smith, Brodie Smith and Jace Loutitt; aunt, Elenor Franson; and many dear friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Arlene (2018) and Harold (1994).
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Mont St. Joseph Home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and a heartfelt thank you to the special staff with whom Mom shared a bond. A deep loving thanks to Lorne Adams of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium Ltd. for the dedicated care and attention that was provided to Mom. At Harolyn’s request there will be no funeral, but rather a private family gathering and interment will be held at a later date.
Stand tall, Mom, Free from pain, and continue to grace us with your love. Our hearts break from the loss of you. We will miss you forever and always. I love you Mom, and I know that you will always “love me more”.
We watch’d her breathing thro’ the night,
Her breathing soft and low,
As in her breast the wave of life
Kept heaving to and fro.
So silently we seem’d to speak,
So slowly moved about,
As we had lent her half our powers
To eke her living out.
Our very hopes belied our fears,
Our fears our hopes belied–
We thought her dying when she slept,
And sleeping when she died.
For when the morn came dim and sad,
And chill with early showers,
Her quiet eyelids closed–she had
Another morn than ours.
-Thomas Hood
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322
