In memory of

Frances Ann Cameron

Aug 9, 1939
Nov 25, 2018

Obituary

Frances Ann (McCamish) Cameron passed away peacefully at her home on November 25th 2018 with her loving husband by her side. She was 79 years old.

Fran was born on August 9, 1939 in La Habra, California; the daughter of the late Marylou Layne and Warren McCamish. Fran had many nicknames (all good) including Frances Ann, Frannie, Frankie and Frantastic. She grew up in Pomona, California, and went to Pomona High School (PHS). She was a majorette at PHS and later entered and won the Miss Flame beauty contest. She married her high school sweetheart Gordon Orsborn and they later moved to Los Gatos, California where she raised her two children. In the 1980’s, Fran moved to Portland Oregon with her second husband.

Years later, she met and married her soul mate and the love of her life, Gene Cameron. They both enjoyed wine and owned a wine distribution operation for a number of years. They were actively involved in the community, including the Silverton Flywheel Car Club, and went to many classic car shows. Most of all, they enjoyed being together, taking care of each other, and shared a boundless amount of love, friendship and respect for each other.

It’s easy to say that Fran was loved by everyone she met and family meant the world to her. She was the type of person you knew would always be there, no matter what, and was there to prop you up whenever you needed it. She was also a prankster and enjoyed a good joke – if an opportunity presented itself she loved to scare her kids, sometimes pretending to be a burglar, and would later laugh it off with them. She was known to do crazy things, like climbing into the window of an old abandoned farm house reported to be haunted to find out for herself if it was true. She was also into rocking lots of different colors in her hair, including purple. Only Frantastic could pull that look off.

Fran took life as it came many times saying “well, so be it” – she lived and died on her terms and wasn’t going to be swayed to do otherwise. Above all of her shenanigans and fun, Fran was known for her genuine kindness, warmth and love. She was an exceptional wife, mother, sister, auntie, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all that had the good fortune to be in this lady’s life.

She was the beloved grandmother of Brandon Orsborn, William, Cait and Ashley Haley, Alejandra Aguilar and Karina Virrueta and later had the good fortune to meet and become the center of her great-grandchildren’s lives. She spoiled her grandkids rotten, even to the extent that when their parents arrived at Fran’s house the kids would scatter and hide so they could stay with Grammy – their love for her is endless. It goes without saying that she was very proud of all her kids, grand, great, or otherwise, and loved texting, calling and hearing about their day-to-day lives.
Fran left shoes that can never be filled, but the memories she gave us will forever fill our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her mother Marylou Layne and her father Warren McCamish. She is survived by her husband Albert Eugene “Gene” Cameron, sister Linda Beardsworth, brother Ron McCamish, two children Courtney Orsborn and Tiffany Haley, son-in-law Josh Haley and daughter-in-law Lilia Orsborn, two step-children Gennan and Kevin, six grandchildren Brandon, William, Caitlin, Ashley, Alejandra and Karina and four great-grandchildren Everly, Miles, Sebastian and Camilla.

Fran’s memorial will be held at the Terrace Lake Clubhouse ‎2120 Robins Lane SE, Salem, OR, on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11am.

Service Information

Memorial Service
Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11am
Terrace Lake Clubhouse
‎2120 Robins Lane SE, Salem, OR, on

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Haykiwimunro@gmail.com says:

    Helena Patchett-Carter ,sister to Fran's 2nd husband, sends her heartfelt sympathyto her family,i thought she was a wonderful & kind person the few times I meet her in in New Zealand,Glad she has had such a forfulling life with so many grad children.
    I thought to contact her as Bruce has now passed away (21st Sept.2021, & i thought I would contact her,,,, too late, my best wishes to you,Gene ,& your family. Helena

  2. Shirley Palmer Edmonds says:

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Frances. Fran and I were friends all through our childhood. I have so many memories. I send my best wishes to her family.

  3. Mike and Renae Estes says:

    Gene, it was my good fortune to meet you and Fran a few years ago. Haven't known you for long, but what a privilege it is to have your friendship. Fran is a Classy Lady!!! My wife, Renae and I both enjoyed her company. She was fun and she enjoyed life, even in the difficult times. She brightened my day each time I saw her. You can't help but love a beautiful person like her. I will remember her.

  4. Joyce arniejoyce @hotmail.com says:

    My deepest sympathy to all of Frances’s family and friends. May all of you be comforted by God’s promise of a world where there will be no death.Revelation 21:3,4

  5. Leslie McCamish Gross says:

    I have so many fond memories of my cousin, Fran. She had a special presence about her. She let me stay part of the summer with her when I was just thirteen. I fell in love with her kindness, compassion and most of all her fun loving spirit. She easily laughed and she could draw anyone close by making them feel like they were the most special person to her. I missed seeing her as years past but on the rare occasion that we would talk or see one another, it was like no time at all had passed at all!. She always made people feel cared about and comfortable. I will miss Fran but now maybe she and my dad (her uncle Gene) can have some laughs together, as the McCamish family loved to do.

  6. Raymond and Joanna Rios says:

    Dear Gene--
    It is with deep regret and sadness that we just learned of Fran's passing in November. She was a lovely, vivacious woman and friend. Her warm and genuine smile and generous spirit will always be remembered as a testimony to her love of life and commitment to others. We're going to miss her. We pray that you are well and find much peace in the comfort and joy with the memories you have of your life with her and the loving spirit of her that will ever remain in you. God bless--

  7. Gene Cameron says:

    People that didn’t know Fran, missed a special lady of our lifetime, 13 years of marriage and 35 years of friendship, were such a blessing to both of us!

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