Frances Read

Frances Patricia O’Connor born on 15th January in Christchurch, New Zealand. After spending her early childhood in St Joseph’s Orphanage she was moved to Nazereth House Orphanage then to Sacred Heart Boarding School in Napier. 

 

Frances grew up to be fiercely independent but also extremely kind, loving, very social and a great fan of the New Zealand All Blacks as well as sports in general. In 1967 Frances met Alan John Read and they moved to Sydney together the following year, got married and had four children, Christopher, Barbara, Leslie and John.

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Frances spent her whole life taking care of others as a nurse, a wife, mother and in later years as Nana to her beloved grandchildren. She started her life alone but her kindness, generosity, humour and exuberant joy drew so many people to her that she was surrounded by love throughout her life.

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"Vanished" is her story, written in her words during several month of Covid lockdowns.

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Always in our memories.

Forever in our hearts.

Never vanished.