Frances Margaret Hilliard (née Kilborn) of Toronto passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the age of 96 years.

Frances was born in China on February 13,1927 on a boat while fleeing China by river during an armed uprising. This would not be the only time she and her family escaped from China during her eventful childhood, leaving by train through Siberia and on a troop ship on future occasions. Her parents, Doctors Leslie and Janet Kilborn (née McClure), were medical missionaries tasked with establishing modern medical facilities and education in Chengdu, China.

Frances spent the majority of her childhood in China before moving permanently to Canada at age 16. She completed her high school education at Lawrence Park Collegiate in Toronto before attaining a nursing degree at the University of Toronto. Frances practiced as a nurse in Toronto before meeting her future husband, Dr. Joseph Ralph Hilliard, and raising a family of four children in both Toronto and Edmonton. During that period, Frances enjoyed playing tennis, bridge and the piano, as well as sewing and cooking, and family time.

Frances is the beloved wife of Dr. Joseph Hilliard (deceased). Dear mother of Neil Hilliard (Emily), Alan Hilliard (Linda), Grant Hilliard (Debra) and Janet Sayers. Proud grandmother of Larissa (Jack), Joel (Catherina), Graham (Celidah), Dayna (Yanick), Cameron, Kevin, Scott, Chris and Ross. Great grandmother of Brody, Joshua, Logan, Juliana, Nathan, Luke, Austyn and Declan.

Funeral arrangements have been made for Friday September 15, 2023 with Gathering starting at 10:30am, Service in the Chapel at 11:30am with reception to follow, at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario. Private Family Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. If desired, remembrances can be made to the charity, Doctors without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.ca.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed