Obituary of FRANCES VERONICA BESKO

FRANCES VERONICA BESKO

(nee Hoglund)

December 10, 1942 – March 7, 2025

Fran Besko passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren in her daughter’s home on Friday March 7, 2025 at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

Fran was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 10, 1942 but grew up in Winnipeg.  She lived in Winnipeg and the surrounding area her entire life where she married Ted Besko and raised her family.

Fran was the heart of her family and a mainstay for her children. She was a deeply caring, supportive and generous person, whether it be family, friends or a stranger down on their luck. She was a strong, fierce person growing up as a small but scrappy big sister, protective of her siblings in Winnipeg’s North End and to supporting her family and challenging the injustices she saw in the world.

She was a loving mother and caregiver, nurturing her children and grandchildren.  She nurtured and guided her children with patience, understanding and unconditional love (and a touch of firmness), that they carry forward in their own lives. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren. She took joy in recounting their activities and achievements to her friends and the occasional stranger. She was the caregiver to her beloved son Tim, in the last years of his life. Tim’s passing broke her heart.

She was an unabashed animal lover having had dogs most of her life, but enjoying the company of her cat Callie, her adoring companion in her final years. Sadly, Callie passed only months before herself.

She will forever be remembered and loved by her children, Chris Besko (Kim), Geoff Besko (Shelley), and Kim Sandison (Tim); grandchildren, Sam, Gillian, Katie, Lauren, Nicholas, and Charlie; brothers Gerry Hoglund and Ken Hoglund (Bonnie Smeaton); in-laws and friends Bob and Carol Besko; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Fran and Ron Hoglund; sisters Linda Ollmann (Joe) and Judy Hykaway (Wayne); sister-in-law Susan Hoglund; ex-husband Ted Besko and her beloved son, Tim Besko.

At Fran’s request, there will not be a formal service. She asked that that her ashes be interred at a later date with a celebration of her life by her immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, Fran requested that memorial tributes be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.