Frances Nell Rodenburg

The family of Frances Nell Rodenburg is sad to announce her passing on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 peacefully in the company of her husband.

Fran was the soulmate of her husband and partner of over 50 years, Bob McLean. She will be greatly missed by her sisters Ina Rodenburg-Hart (Doug) and Judy Cane (Bruce, deceased) and brothers John (Andrea) and Ed, and by her sister-in-law Joanne (Osenenko) and brothers-in-law John and Brian. Fran was predeceased by her parents Paul and Joanne Rodenburg.

Fran leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews Paul, Robb, Erin and Laureen Hart, Matt and Ben Cane, Saskia, Sophie and Anna Rodenburg, Lindsay, Nicholas, Aaron and Mieke Rodenburg, Luke, Kathy, Janis, Kevin and Jeff Osenenko, and Tiffany and Michael McLean. Fran will be missed by her grand-nieces and nephews and extended families. Fran will also be missed by her dear friends from her time with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council.

After earning her Honours Bachelor of Arts (Political Studies) from the University of Guelph in 1977, Fran joined Bob in Ottawa where she soon she found a true calling in her animal welfare work with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. A self-starter, highly organized, efficient and conscientious, with considerable administrative, management and communications skills, she rose to serve as Executive Director of the Federation for nearly a decade. In this capacity, she coordinated an extensive committee system on animal welfare issues ranging from farm animal welfare, to wildlife and use of animals in research and humane education. Fran served on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Committee, the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and development committees for codes of practice of care and handling of farm animals. In 2002, Fran received a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for contributions to animal welfare in Canada.

Never shy to contribute, in her volunteer activities, Fran served as Trustee and Honourary Secretary to the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada, President of the Carleton Heights Curling Club (and its Business Women’s League, Membership Chair and Executive Committee member); and President of the Fairmile Road Ratepayers Association.

A country girl and dairy farmer’s daughter, she loved nature and the outdoors, enjoying countless summers camping at Sandbanks Provincial Park, ocean coasts in her nature travel adventures and her occasional visits to Bob’s sister Joanne on Vancouver Island’s west coast. Around the house, each spring she immersed herself in the design of her numerous planters, selecting new plants for perennial beds and finding just the perfect pink and white annuals for added colour. 

Fran’s considerable love of music, arts and food were a focus of her travels, whether this was enjoying the food of Barcelona or Tuscany, plays on Broadway or at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, Monet’s Water Lilies or Study of a Figure Outdoors: Woman with a Parasol, Facing Left in Paris, or concerts in Montreal and New York City. Among musical artists, Fran was particularly fond of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison and the Doobie Brothers. Fran loved and cherished her immediate family and frequently over the years played a key role in organizing weeklong cottage get togethers, most recently remarkably finding the strength and energy to bring family together in the summers of 2022 and 2024.

Bob would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and others who supported Fran through her journey. Particular thanks goes to Dr. David Stewart, Dr. Sondos Zayed and the teams at the Cancer Care Centre, The Ottawa Hospital and the Irving Greenburg Family Cancer Centre.

In keeping with Fran’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. A private person, Fran will be remembered and celebrated in small gatherings of family and friends. Cremation has taken place. A favoured place in nature on an ocean coast has been selected for Fran’s ashes and those of her beloved cats Toby, Oscar, Thomas and Stewart.

Never one to care about herself, Fran felt a deep commitment to the care of others, particularly the vulnerable, be they people or animals. Over the course of her adult life, this was reflected in an ever-deepening support of charitable causes. Fran’s family would welcome your consideration of a donation to Doctors Without Borders Canada,  World Vision Canada or the University of Guelph (identifying your area of impact as ‘Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare’).