February 19, 1930 - December 21, 2021
Francess Dewitt was born February 19, 1930 to Ida Rosetta Dewitt and Oscar William Dewitt. She was welcomed into the family by her older brother Alvin.
The early years on her father's farm were healthy and happy. From her beloved parents, she learned how to maintain a farm, including caring for livestock, gardening and preserving God's bounty. She attended one room country schools at Knob Hill, Lorraine, and Southbend with her brother Alvin, finishing her grade ten at the Alliance School. During summer breaks she helped her father on the farm, worked a summer job at an Alliance restaurant and cooked with her aunt at a Halkirk coal mine.
In 1944, tragedy struck the family when her brother Alvin died in WWII. This left a gaping hole in her life. Francess Dewitt and James Hewitt were married June 16, 1954. Together they raised four children: Tyrrill Hewitt born 1955, Allisson Hewitt (Lang) born 1957, Lorne Hewitt born 1960 and Lennard Hewitt born 1962.
Francess served her community as an Agricultural Service Board member at large. She participated on the original Castor handicapped van committee and helped establish the Castor Farmer's Market. Francess was the Castor Advance Bulwark community news correspondent for several years. She was also an active member of the Bulwark Friendship Club. She had an artistic streak and enjoyed ceramics at Brownfield School and frequently took workshops offered through Adult Education.
Francess gardened extensively, raised chickens and turkeys, and processed and preserved from her own garden. Her highest priority was the education of her children. In later years Jim and Francess travelled with Bargholz Tours to various destinations as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren.
After the passing of her husband Jim on December 20, 1994, Francess continued life at the Bulwark farm, keeping a diary as long as she was able where she recorded weather, farm, and family activities in her daily journals. She moved into the Castor Legion Manor around June 2006, then to the Paintearth Lodge and finally to the extended care at Castor's Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital where she passed away December 21, 2021.
Francess is survived by her loving family, daughter Allisson (Rodney) Lang of Edmonton; sons: Tyrrill (Cheryl) Hewitt of Coronation, Lorne (Blanche) Hewitt of Castor and Lennard (Laurie) Hewitt of Castor; grandchildren: Christine Lang, Janeen Lang (Chris Andre), Matthew (Darcie) Jordahl, Samantha Hewitt, James Hewitt, John Hewitt, Mandy (Brandon) Johannson, Lucas Hewitt (Caitlin Megley), Jesse (Kelsea) Hewitt, Tyler Hewitt, Meagan Hewitt (Derrick VanHienen), Nicole (Corey) Zieffle and Shaelyn Hewitt (Alex Leblanc); great grandchildren: Dorian, Maddox, Keegan, Hadleigh, Kylan and Jamie; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many dear friends and neighbours. Francess was predeceased by her parents Ida and Oscar Dewitt,husband James Hewitt and brother Alvin Dewitt; sister in law Marion Hewitt and sister in law Isabel (Frank) Baker.
A private family celebration will be held honouring Francess' life.
Donations in memory of Francess are gratefully accepted to Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital Foundation ~ Palliative Care Room or Paintearth Lodge.
We will miss you always and remember you in our hearts.
Private family funeral services will be held in 2022.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Memorial contributions in Francess' memory may be made to the Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital - Palliative Care Room or to the Paintearth Lodge.
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 403-882-3141.
Parkview Funeral Chapels