Frances Dorothy Ballantyne

Amidst the love of her family in her final days, Francy, as she was known, passed into eternal life on Thursday, February 5.

Francy was born in Bottineau, North Dakota on July 25, 1940. Her earliest memories are of her father, Arthur Roberge, a man she deeply loved her entire life. Arthur suddenly found himself as the sole provider for his young children. Needing help, Arthur took Francy, her older sister Marie, and her younger brother Leo to Notre Dame Academy in Willow City, North Dakota - a boarding school run by the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. Arthur became the school’s caretaker, living behind the school, tending to the grounds, while his three children lived full-time in the dormitory until they graduated.

Francy woke with the nuns early in the morning for mass and work - peeling vegetables in the kitchen or cleaning where needed. She attended school during the day, performed chores after her studies, and then ate supper. At night, she visited her father. Francy was forever grateful to the nuns who raised her - teaching her discipline and hard work, traits that would define her life. Reflecting on her upbringing with nuns, “People have said that I’m particular. And I am particular. I like things to be a certain way.”

She attended the North Dakota School of Forestry where she learned phlebotomy. She was a proud medical technician drawing blood and performing lab work for 20 years at Deaconess Hospital, now Billings Clinic.

Francy married Robert Ballantyne in 1961. She followed Bob’s work to Montana as a roughneck in the oil fields. Soon after the birth of their daughter, Brenda, the family settled in Billings. Bob and Francy delighted in their travels together. From the early days of picnics in Glacier while Bob was drilling in northern Montana to the later years when road trips took them to every corner of America. Frequent stops were made to expand their genealogy records.

Francy was an avid gardener and proud home decorator. She rose early to work outside as the weather allowed. She kept immaculate beds filled with beautiful flowers, decorative rock, delicious fruit and vegetables, and garden decor. Every month, her house had a decor theme for the season or holiday. Artwork from Danielle and her great-grandchildren were always proudly incorporated into her displays. Her “collectibles” were spread through the house in hutches and curio cabinets. A prized collection of cut-glass knife-rests and vases were on full display - a token of affection Bob first brought home from a work trip which led to a lifelong enjoyment of antiquing.

Bob’s jovial go-with-the-flow nature mixed with Francy’s “particularness” made for a humorous marital dynamic. With a glare and a smirk, a familiar refrain of “Bob…” let her husband know he was treading in dangerous waters with her. In response, Bob gave a quick raise of his eyebrows, a shrug of the shoulders, and moved on. They were married for 62 years before Bob passed in June 2024.

Francy devoted herself to her only granddaughter, Danielle. Almost three years old, Danielle joined her grandparents for a trip to Yellowstone Park which turned into a childhood of travels with them across the country. Danielle’s visits to their house made for a multitude of memories. Grandma’s raspberry patch provided a good excuse for a young Danielle to visit and help her with the berry picking. Sleep overs usually entailed “soft meat” for dinner and “french pancakes” for breakfast. Bedtime was amiss without reading The Playful Little Dog quietly snuggled under a knit blanket. Often, Grandma and Danielle would meet Grandpa for lunch downtown. Danielle would “help” as a backseat driver, exclaiming “hit it Grams!” as the lights turned green. Or, to make it even more of an adventure, they would travel there and back on the city bus! While Grandpa was the adventurous one, Grandma was always there when it came time for quiet and snuggles.

Danielle’s husband, Adam, became a beloved part of the family. Soon after came four great-grandchildren - Cooper, Sophia, Marshall, and Bennett. Francy and Bob loved every holiday, birthday, activity, and moment together with them. Great-Grandma would be on the floor playing with trucks, dolls, and board games alongside them. Francy’s fridge and candy trays were always stocked with sweet treats. As the kids grew, Francy - who never quite reached 5 feet tall - would go “back-to-back” to see if she was still taller. Of course, she eventually lost that battle.

Francy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob. She predeceases her daughter, Brenda; her granddaughter and husband, Danielle and Adam Liberty; and her four great-grandchildren, Cooper, Sophia, Marshall, and Bennett.

A funeral and committal will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. If so desired, memorials may be made to the Billings Catholic Schools Foundation, where her great-grandchildren attend, at PO Box 31158, Billings, MT 59107 or billingscatholicschoolsfoundation.org.