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Bishop Elliott also recognized the Rev. Canon Frances Lightbourn, who has served for 50 years. Canon Lightbourn was born in 1919. As a young woman, she studied and achieved a diploma in Christian Education from St. Christopher’s College in London, England. She returned to Canada and studied at the Church of England Deaconess and Missionary Training House, receiving her diploma in 1944.
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She was set apart as a deaconess in 1945 by Archbishop Owen, and ministered at St. Mark’s in Midland for many years. She was serving on staff at the renamed Anglican Women’s Training College when she married her husband, Archdeacon Gilbert Lightbourn. Her ministry took her from the Parish of Craighurst and Midhurst to the Parish of Trinity, Barrie. Canon Lightbourn also worked as Director of the Simcoe Resource Centre in Barrie for five years. In 1987, she was conditionally ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Garnsworthy, recognizing her being set aside as deaconess in 1945. She, too, was named an Honorary Canon of St. James Cathedral in 1992.
Bishop Elliott told synod members that Canon Lightbourn was perhaps the first woman to address the synod of the Diocese of Toronto. “There were no women delegates [in those days],” he said. “She was actually sequestered in another room and was then escorted in to talk about her work as director of the Deaconess and Missionary House. So she is no stranger to our presence. But if you look out, demographics have changed significantly, and she would celebrate that with us as much as anyone.”
Canon Lighbourn continues to be active in her own parish and in the community of deacons. She is currently overseeing the discernment process in the Parish of Stayner and Wasaga Beach. “Frances is an inspiration and an example of faith to all who know her,” said Bishop Elliott.
The Rev. Canon Frances Lightbourn
(Taken from Diocese of Toronto 2005 vestry report)
The Rev. Canon Frances Lightbourn was born in 1919. As a young woman, she studied and achieved a diploma in Christan Education from St Christopher’s College in London, England. She returned to Canada and studied at the Church of England Deaconess & Missionary Training House, receiving her diploma in 1944. After graduation, she was set apart as a deaconess in 1945 by Archbishop Owen, and ministered at St Mark’s in Midland for many years. She was serving on staff at the renamed Anglican Women’s Training College when she married her husband, Archdeacon Gilbert Lightbourn. They have one daughter, Monica. Her ministry took her from the Parish of Craighurst & Midhurst to the Parish of Trinity Barrie. Frances would go on to work as Director of the Simcoe Resource Centre in Barrie for five years. On May 17, 1987, Frances was conditionally ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Garnsworthy, recognizing her being set aside as Deaconess in 1945. She too was named an Honorary Canon of St James Cathedral in 1992.
