The wife of former Windsor mayor Eddie Francis has succumbed to cancer following a long, courageous battle.
Dr. Michelle Prince, a chiropractor who had battled cancer for over four years, passed away Sunday morning. The passing was confirmed in a statement written by Francis on Prince's personal Facebook page Sunday afternoon.
"She always asked me not to let anyone suggest she lost her battle with cancer; as for the last five years she was choosing to live life and not the disease," wrote Francis in the post. "She always showed her smile!! She celebrated the positives and in doing so she inspired many to do the same. Our family and friends have promised her that we would celebrate her life by remembering to live each and everyday in the moment. She is our hero."
Prince was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013, and had battled it on and off since.
Yet Francis, who served as mayor from 2003 to 2014 and is currently president and CEO of Windsor Family Credit Union, said she pushed through with a positive attitude.
"She chose to live life despite all that she was facing," wrote Francis. "She chose to enjoy everyday despite three major surgeries and 80 cycles of chemo administered every other week."
Francis' successor, current Mayor Drew Dilkens, took to Twitter Sunday evening to express his sorrow.
https://twitter.com/drewdilkens/status/1064295752535556099
Fabio Costante, Windsor City Councillor-elect for Ward 2, said via Twitter, "Thoughts and prayers are with the Prince and Francis family. Very sad news."
Additional information concerning arrangements will be passed along as they become available.