Sylvia (Sylvie) Frankian
elevated P79wt September 14, 1934 – February 17, 2024
elevated P79wt Visitation
Friday, February 23, 2024 from 4 – 8 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home – Bishop Power Room
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated P79wt Please enter the cemetery from the Langstaff gate. The Funeral Home is located on the grounds of the cemetery, last building close to Bayview Avenue.
elevated P79wt Funeral Mass
Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Catholic Church
100 Northdale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2L 2M1
elevated P79wt If desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
elevated P79wt Obituary
elevated P79wt A life so fully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sylvia (Sylvie) Frankian. Sylvia passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024. She is survived by her son Diran/Dan Frankian (Jane) and daughter Marion Frankian (Kevin), as well as her granddaughter Alexa.
“Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It’s leaving something behind in other people.” – Peter Strople
And that she did. A woman of quiet strength, Sylvia was respected, admired and adored by all who knew her. Whether you were family, friend or colleague, you could always count on her warm smile, generous nature and kind heart. It’s no surprise that she developed a wide and close circle of friends through the years. She loved to entertain (and boy was she a phenomenal cook!), was an avid traveller, and would always jump at the opportunity to try or learn something new (with the exception of having to adapt to any electronic devices of course if she could help it). Not one to stay idle, when you would tell her to slow down, she would say “the car is stuck at this speed and doesn’t know what other speed to move at”.
She was a French teacher for over 40 years and loved every moment of it. After moving to Canada, she taught at the Toronto French School for over 25 years and then, although retired, continued to teach for an additional few years at La Citadelle International Academy of Arts and Science. You were always reminded of the impact she had on her students; it wasn’t uncommon to randomly encounter former students who knew and spoke ever fondly of Madame Frankian.
Music and singing were in her blood from a very young age. She was a skilled pianist and performed in many a concert. She sang in several choirs throughout the years and continued doing so, well into her 70’s, including at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. What a glorious singing voice she had too. If you were lucky enough to hear her beautiful renditions of “Nature Boy” and “Con te partirò”, then you know how her voice spoke to you.
Volunteering was also one of her passions. She volunteered for almost 20 years, most notably as a Docent Liaison as part of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Volunteer Committee and as a guide and member of Les amis du ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), where she also took the initiative to provide French lessons to its members with much success.
Her most cherished role of all though was as mother and grandmother. Also considered a second mom to some, it was a role she willingly embraced. Her love, patience and support were endless and her hugs and cooking could make any problems go away.
She was elegance and class, a wonderful lady to the end. One mystery remains though of the decades long question asked by all: what was the secret to her ageless and beautiful skin?
She will forever live in our hearts. God bless her and may she rest in peace.
elevated P79wt
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Marion, sending you and your family our deepest condolences. May all the memories you have of your beautiful mom, bring comfort to your soul.
Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Dear Marion and Family our deepest condolences to you and your family
May God give you peace and comfort at these difficult times
Marion, mes sinceres condoleances a toi et toute la famile.
Mes pensees et prieres vous accompagnent en ce moment de douleur.
God bless!
Sincères condoléances à toi Marion et à ta famille.
Dear Marion and Family
Our deepest condolences to you and your family
May she rest in peace forever and may God give you peace and comfort.
Chère Marion, un tout petit mot pour t’offrir mes plus sincères condoléances à toi ainsi qu’à toute ta famille. Mes pensées et mes prières sont avec toi et les tiens. J’espère qu’à travers ces moments plus difficiles, tu trouveras un peu de temps pour bien prendre soin de toi-même. Bon courage. Amitiés, Ian
I have fond memories of Mme. Frankian at TFS summer camp over 35 years ago, where she taught us how to make tabouleh and a tea biscuit cake. My sincerely condolences to her family.
Toutes nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille, tout particulièrement à Marion, de la part de la grande famille du Collège Glendon.
Je garde un excellent souvenir des années que j’ai passées à travailler aux côtés de votre maman.
Mes pensées sont avec vous et avec votre famille.
My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Madame Frankian’s family. She was my teacher at TFS and she left a profound impact on all of us. My friends from the class and I often look back fondly on the lessons that she taught us, both related to the curriculum and to life, and on the laughs we had with her. May you find peace in the memories you have and strength in each other. God bless.
I originally met Mme Frankian at TFS and then had the pleasure of being with Sylvie years later at the ROM’s les amis francophiles. What a lady! Deepest condolences to the family.
hardy060@yahoo.ca
Dear Marion & Dan
We are sending you our deepest condolences on this very sad time of your lives. We are thinking about you and we hope you will find peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Chère Marion, c’est avec bien du chagrin que j’ai appris le décès de Sylvia, ta maman.
Reçois mes plus sincères condoléances.
J’ai eu un très grand plaisir à connaître Sylvia, femme passionnante, forte, courageuse, cultivée, et très généreuse.
Elle ne se laissait jamais abattre, ce qui lui a permis de mener une vie riche, en laissant de côté les mauvais moments pour ne garder que les bons. Pour vous, ton frère et toi, elle a voulu le meilleur, c’est à dire votre bonheur. Vous aurez eu la chance d’avoir une maman aimante, protectrice, et proche de vous. C’est précieux.
Peut-être sais tu que je vis à Marseille maintenant, et je ne peux pas assister à la cérémonie des obsèques de Sylvia. Je suis désolée et triste, mais sois certaine que même éloignée, je n’ai jamais oublié ta maman et que je ne l’oublierai jamais.
Joelle
Marion and Dan,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a strong and vibrant woman. She was a loving and generous person. She was always willing to help anyone in need. She will be greatly missed. I loved listening to her sing. She had the most beautiful voice. She was also the most amazing cook. Sending light and love.
Brigid, Kevin, Mihai, Luke and Claire xoxo
What a beautiful soul! Your mother was kind and gentle, qualities passed onto her beautiful children. May she rest in peace and may you also find peace while grieving the passing of this phenomenal woman.
Sylvie was a dear friend to me at the ROM and I will always remember her kindness and her patience. She was a beautiful and elegant person, generous and talented. I know you will miss her terribly but you have many beautiful memories to cherish. Fondly, Karen McQuaid
C’est avec une grande tristesse que j’apprends le décès de votre maman. Je vous présente toutes mes condoléances. Je garde en mémoire mes années TFS et mes week-end chez vous à me régaler de sa cuisine. C’était une belle personne. Je vous souhaite beaucoup de courage. Avec toute mon amitié.