It is with heavy hearts, Ken Nott and I, mourn the loss of our mom, Francine Nott (nee Robichaud), on July 17th, 2026. She leaves behind her daughter Joy (Ian); her son Kenneth (Allison); and her grandchildren: Zachary, Emma and Maxwell.
Our mom was a woman whose love was steady, generous, and unconditional. She was the heart of our family, the person who made everyone feel cared for, protected, and welcome. Her kindness touched so many lives, and her love shaped the people my brother Ken and I became. One of the clearest ways Mom showed her love was through food. She loved to cook, especially for a large crowd. Whether it was a family gathering, a holiday, or simply a reason to bring people together, she made sure there was always more than enough for everyone. Her table was never just about the meal — it was about comfort, connection, and making people feel at home. Like her mother, she understood that food could bring a family together, create memories, and show love without needing many words.
Like her father, Mom also had a deep love of gardening. She had a way of bringing beauty and life to the spaces around her. Her garden reflected so much of who she was — nurturing, hardworking, and full of care. She knew that beautiful things take time, attention, and love — and she gave those gifts freely, whether to her plants, her home, her friends, or her family. Mom was also very proud to be part of a large family of 10 children, including 8 brothers and her sister and best friend, Claudette (Bourque); and that deep sense of family stayed with her throughout her life.
She also deeply loved our father, John Nott, and the 48 years they shared in marriage were a lasting testament to their commitment, partnership, and devotion to one another. They were the best parents Ken and I could have ever asked for.
Mom was also a successful real estate agent, and she brought the same dedication and warmth to her career that she brought to every part of her life. She understood people. She listened (and she talked – a lot!), she worked hard, and she helped others make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Her success came not only from her knowledge and determination, but from her ability to connect with people and earn their trust.
But above all else, Mom was a mother. She was always involved in my life and in Ken’s life — guiding us, worrying about us, standing up for us, and loving us through every season. She protected us fiercely and loved us unconditionally. Her love gave us strength, confidence, and a sense of belonging that will stay with us forever.
Losing her leaves an ache that words cannot fully express. Watching someone you love, die from Alzheimer’s, is heartbreaking. It is a slow loss, as memories fade, words and her voice disappear, and the person you knew begins to slip away. But even as the disease took so much from Mom, it could never take away the love she gave us or the place she will always hold in our hearts.
There will be a celebration of her life held at Frenette Funeral Centre, 396 Main Street, Shediac, NB, close to where she grew up, on August 28, 2026, at 2:00pm. She will then be buried with our dad here in Ontario, as she wished.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada in her name: Francine Nott.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Frenette Funeral Centre, 396 Main Street, Shediac, NB (506-532-3297).
Messages of condolences and donations may be made online at: www.frenettefuneralhome.com