Frances Fillatre

On November 5, 2025, our precious Frances Fillatre was born an angel, almost seven months into my pregnancy. She weighed 2 pounds, 5 ounces and was loved beyond words. My husband, Allison and I were blessed with two full days and nights with her in the hospital, a bittersweet time of profound joy and deep sadness. We cherished every moment and were comforted knowing she was free from pain.

Her brother and sister, Emma and Lucas, were incredibly brave. They met their little sister, held her, sang to her, and made special gifts just for Frances. She was also held and cherished by four of her five grandparents, by our priest who blessed her and comforted us, and was loved by her entire family, including her aunties, uncles, and cousins.

We have so much appreciation for our family and friends who supported us through this unimaginable time. You carried us when we could not carry ourselves and helped make each day a little lighter. From meal deliveries and heartfelt cards to phone calls, visits, flights taken just to be with us, and caring for our two older children while we were in and out of the hospital. You surrounded us with an abundance of love and care, for which we are forever grateful.

To the medical teams, counsellors, specialists, and nurses, thank you for your unwavering compassion, expertise, and gentle guidance. Your care ensured that Frances was free of pain and suffering, something we wanted to protect her from at all costs.

Our new friends at Empty Arms helped create cherished memories with Frances. Jasmin and their team supported us from the moment we learned about her diagnosis. Empty Arms helps families in our community experiencing the loss of a child from pregnancy through early childhood. Their presence was a true gift.

Please consider making a small donation in Frances’ name to support other families experiencing perinatal loss in Saskatchewan.
Donate Now | Empty Arms Perinatal Loss Support Services
Donate Now | Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation

I wrote this letter to honour Frances’ short but beautiful life and the lasting lessons she gave us.

To our sweet baby, Frances. I hope you know how deeply loved you were. From the moment we knew you were there, you had a family who loved you without conditions.
I hope you are at peace, untouched by pain. When faced with impossible choices, we followed a compass of love and mercy, choosing what we believed would keep you from suffering.
I hope you live on through your brother and sister, forever their guiding light. Whispering laughter into their days and protection over them always.
I hope we will always remember your beautiful spirit and the energy that bounced within, as you grew week by week.
In our darkest days, I know you will somehow remind us that pain can coexist with joy. That growth can happen in grief and darkness.
I hope you know how adored you were by your grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and cousins, who asked about you every day. You were grandbaby number seven. Our lucky number, our tiny miracle.
I hope your story gives strength to other families who sadly, like us, have to walk this tender path. I hope they are carried, like we were, by mountains of love from their closest people.
I hope you know how grateful I am for the freedom of choice. The choice to love you fiercely, to protect you with mercy, and to choose what was right for you and our family.
I hope you know how wanted you were, how loved you are, and how you will always be a part of us. We will always be together.
To our lucky number seven, sweet Frances. I believe you were too special to live in this world. Born from love, carried through grief, and held in our hearts forever.
We walk more gently in this world after you.