Frances McLean

Secondary School Teacher, Counsellor, and Principal - Retired

Peacefully in Ottawa, Friday, March 10, 2023 Frances (née Shillington) McLean, age 93. Loving mother of Denise McLean (Stephen Gadd) of Cumberland, ON and Paula McLean (Brian Jones) of Killingworth, Connecticut. Beloved grandmother of Angus, Cameron, and Jason, and proud great-grandmother of Olivia and Isla. Dear sister of Norman Shillington. Predeceased by her sister Geraldine Sheppard and brothers Alan and Arthur Shillington. Daughter of the late Frances Geraldine (Gerry) Sherer and the late William Lindsay (Lin) Shillington.

Frances was born in Blenheim, Ontario where her father was a local business leader. Fran earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Ontario and her Master’s degree in Education at the University of Windsor. Her long career as an educator began at the Ontario Ladies’ College in Whitby followed by teaching positions in Windsor, Glencoe, and Sarnia Ontario. During several years at Sarnia Central Collegiate she was well-admired as a math and science teacher and then as a guidance counsellor. Fran held a number of administration positions, including serving as Vice-Principal at Northern and St. Clair, both in Sarnia. She finished her career as Principal at East Lambton Secondary School in Watford before retiring in 1988.

Fran loved to travel, including visits to New Zealand, Spain, Norway, Venezuela, and several islands in the Caribbean. During her more recent years she enjoyed hobbies such as cryptic crossword puzzles, sudoku, and watching the passing ships on the St. Clair River from her apartment on the water in Sarnia.

Cremation with no service planned. Memorial donations to an education-related organization of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Sharing Memories at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/kelly-barrhaven.