April 26, 1942 - April 22, 2025
Frances Heinsheimer Wainwright, a distinguished figure in Canadian classical music and loving mother and grandmother, passed away on April 22, just a few days short of her 83rd birthday. She was celebrated for her career as a CBC Radio music producer in Montreal, Quebec, and her transformative leadership as Artistic Director of the Coast Recital Society in Sechelt, BC.
Born to German Jewish immigrants, Hans and Elsbeth Heinsheimer in 1942 in Queens, New York, Frances was immersed in music from an early age, influenced by her father, a writer and executive with the music publisher G. Schirmer. Her passion led her to Antioch College in Ohio, where she began forging lifelong connections in the classical music world.
Frances married Canadian artist Robert Barry Wainwright in 1967 and moved to Montreal, where she began her tenure at CBC Radio, bringing classical music to national audiences. During her time at the CBC, Frances was known for her deep knowledge and passion for classical music and even more for her sharp wit and ability to build loyal personal connections with colleagues and musicians, many of whom would become lifelong friends.
After moving to Sechelt, Frances brought her expertise to the Coast Recital Society, where she served as Artistic Director for 20 years. She was able to attract some of the greatest musical talent in the world to their small community, made possible by the connections made during her time at the CBC.
Frances's contributions to Canadian classical music, both on-air and in the concert hall, have left an enduring impact. She is remembered fondly for her warmth, hard work, and the genuine joy she brought to growing Canada's musical community.
Beyond work, Frances was a dedicated and hard-working mother who inspired her children with her ability to somehow commit 100% of herself to both her work and her family simultaneously. Her kindness, thoughtfulness and sense of humour, which she generously shared with the world, are already missed.
Frances is survived by her brother Tom; daughter Carla; partner Marco and their children Liam, Cléo, and Amélie; and son Julian, his wife Cecilia, and their children Edan and Ivy.
