Obituary of Frances Willis

HOMEGOING OF FRANCES MARY WILLIS MAY 31, 1921 – AUGUST 8, 2012 Born in Victoria, Canada in 1921, Frances was brought up in Shanghai, China by missionary parents. She had three siblings, John, Hope and Christopher II, all now deceased. Amongst her final words were, ‘family all together again’. After nurses’ training at the Toronto General Hospital, she began a lifetime of service for her Lord Jesus Christ that included nursing, filling in for other missionaries while they went on leave, and running the Christian Book Room in Hong Kong from 1975-1998. In this latter work, she followed in the footsteps of her father, George Christopher Willis I, who started the Christian Book Room in Shanghai in 1925. It was the Shanghai Book Room that was the last Protestant missionary work in China after the Communist takeover in 1949. This Book Room closed in 1959 and by then, most of its work had been moved to Hong Kong and this was carried on by Helen Willis from 1962-1975. After assuming the leadership in Hong Kong, Frances steered the operations of the Book Room towards the printing of calendars, cards and posters, all with the use of Scripture verses. Around the world in many Christian homes today are calligraphy posters of Scripture, all meant to encourage and edify Christians in their walk with God. While having an artistic flair which Frances used to the edification of many people, she was also a Sunday School teacher extrordinaire. She became involved in Sunday School teaching wherever she went, including Sandakan in Borneo, Sault Ste. Marie, Hong Kong, and finally Ottawa. She is remembered by many now grown adults around the world who, as children, received her teaching. Her gift was the ability to make a story come alive, using visual aids and arts and crafts which the children could take home. This of course involved hours of weekly preparation, and this she did for many decades. She also delighted in writing out God’s Word, and became proficient in calligraphy. She loved to sing and play the piano and organ, with a special appreciation for hymns and classical music. Her nieces and nephews experienced her generosity, especially at Christmas. When Aunt Fanny arrived, the Christmas tree suddenly was surrounded by her abundant giving. She took a special interest in each person, making an effort to keep in touch, even when she was far away. She was well known for her dogs. There were Impy and Scampy in Sault Ste. Marie, another Impy in Hong Kong which she brought home to Shawville, Canada in 1998, and finally Ebby, which was her last dog. Those in her Hong Kong neighbourhood referred to in Cantonese as ‘the woman with the dog’. Upon retirement in Shawville, she became a familiar sight on the streets, as her dog took her for daily walks. This contributed to her phenomenal endurance and longevity, living the longest of her siblings. One of her deepest wishes was that in old age she would bear spiritual fruit, and expressed this in her calligraphy writing of Scripture (Psalm 71:9, 92:4, Isaiah 46:4). She did, as those who witnessed her in the last few weeks of her life can testify. Memorial donations (tax receiptable) can be mailed in her honour to Pontiac Respite Services – Valentine Centre, Campbell’s Bay, QC J0X 1K0