Louise Druce

05/13/1918 - 07/15/2014

DRUCE, Louise Elsie Frances (1918, May 13 - 2014, July 15) A remarkable women; a memorable life. Frances Druce passed away peacefully at the Douglas Care Community in Victoria BC. She was predeceased by her dear and loving friend of over 60 years, Betty Trimmer. Frances was born in Hitchin in Hertfordshire UK to Arthur and Florence. After her father passed away when she was 2, she and her stepsiblings worked with their mother in the family hotel in Horsham. At the start of the Second World War, Frances had been accepted and was on her way to study at the London School of Economics but instead found herself recruited and working as a code-breaker at Bletchley Park for the duration of the war. She was one of "Churchill's geese" and as with many who found themselves part of this secret and clandestine world, listening and decoding the enemy's day-by-day war plans, Frances was challenged and pushed to her limits. Yet in her words, she "did the job because that is what one did". For those of us who knew Frances, we can only imagine the strength and courage required on a daily basis and how this experience must have shaped the wonderful woman we all grew to know. In 1944 F/S Druce travelled to Italy, the Middle East, and Africa with British Intelligence. After finally being released from the WRAF in 1948/9 she came to Canada to visit a friend and stayed to make a new life for herself. She ended up in Victoria and joined the provincial civil service where she eventually rose to become the Provincial Director of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Throughout her working career and into her retirement, Frances avidly pursued genealogical interests and took great pride in bringing to light several hundred years of her family history in Britain and connected with family throughout the world. She also enjoyed getting together with friends on birding adventures as well as travelling the globe with her friend and companion Betty. Frances and Betty lived for many years on Galiano Island and eventually returned to Victoria where they continued to enjoy their lives and socialize within a wide and rich circle of friends. Frances is survived and fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews in the United Kingdom as well as cousins in Canada. She was an active member of St Mary the Virgin Anglican church in Oak Bay. She was also an active resident in Douglas Care Community and will be greatly missed by the staff, the residents and her care companions. Special thanks to the staff at DCC and to Erin Hannah. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Oak Bay, on Thursday, July 24th at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to your charity of choice.