Perrin, Ethel “Frances” – age 85 of Dean passed away on December 18, 2025 in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
Born in Dean, she was a daughter of the late Cecil and Mona (Kindervater) Gammell.
Frances’ life was one of service to her family, students, community, and church. She was a loving and caring mother to her four children, Joanne, Jeanette, Garth and Paul. Mom instilled values of hard work, volunteerism, compassion and kindness in her children. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren, Ryann and David travelling on adventures, reading stories and attending their concerts and games.
Frances spent her working career as a teacher at various schools in the Halifax County School Board and before returning home and teaching the majority of her years at Upper Musquodoboit Consolidated School, the final six as principal. She captivated her students as she read aloud the tales of Anne Shirley bringing those stories to life. She helped provide opportunities to students from the area to participate in swimming lessons and school trips around the Maritimes.
In her spare time she worked with Dad on the farm in the hay and blueberry fields and in the maple woods. This led to involvement as a director of the Wild Blueberry Producers of Nova Scotia, CONFORM Ltd., Nova Forest Alliance and the Dean Produce Co-op
In the community she was active as a member and leader of the Community Health Board, Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital. She spent several years on the Board of Directors of the Upper Stewiacke Co-op, Sharon-St. James Credit Union and Arimathea Funeral Co-op.
Frances was a very dedicated member of Sharon Presbyterian Church serving as the Church Organist for approximately 60 years. She was a member of the Session and Board of Managers. She served as Moderator of the Halifax-Lunenburg Presbytery. Frances was also the chairperson of the Upper Musquodoboit Pastoral Charge.
She was a fantastic cook, providing meals for family, friends and work crews on the farm. She filled in her days knitting, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles and enjoying music.
Frances is survived by her children, Joanne, Jeanette (Jim), Garth (Karla) and Paul; grandchildren, Ryann and David; step-grandchildren Kyla, Nick (Brittany) – Leland; sisters, Shirley Barker and Wanda Smith; sister-in-law, Nancy Gammell and brother-in-law, Victor MacKinnon; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband, David; brothers, Calvin, Terence, Wayne and Gordon; sisters, Elizabeth, Martha, Beverley, and Dorothy; son-in-law, Brian MacLeod; brothers-in-law, Bill Barker, Alvin Lemmon, and Kennard Smith. She was also predeceased by David’s family - Marion (Clifford) Lemmon, Walter (Lois), Victor (Ruby), Lyman (Mabel), Edson (Claudia), Ray (Rosalie), Eleanor, Elizabeth, George and Ella (Gerald) Cox
Her family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Colchester East Hants Health Centre and those providing care for Mom in-home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Arimathea Funeral Cooperative.
A funeral visitation will be held Sunday, December 21 at 2-4 and 6-8 and the funeral will be held Monday, December 22 at 2 p.m. both in Sharon Presbyterian Church, Dean.
Donations may be made to Sharon Presbyterian Church, Dean NS c/o Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, 8741 Highway 224, Upper Musquodoboit, NS B0N 2M0. Family flowers only.
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