VIDEO Eddie Francis Remembering His Wife As A Remarkable Woman

As family and friends get set to celebrate the life of Dr. Michelle Prince, former Windsor mayor Eddie Francis is looking back at the impact his wife had on the Windsor-Essex community.

After a five year battle with cancer, Prince passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 46.

Francis tells CTV Windsor he is reminded of his wife Michelle everyday through their children Sienna and Phoenix.

"Their character, their independence, their resilience, their attitudes, their personalities. They are their mom. She knows that this is a difficult time for them and they've handled it the way she would want them to handle it."

He says his wife was courageous every single day after being diagnosed in January 2014.

"She was convinced that the disease was not going to get her, that she was going to live long enough so that her kids, Sienna and Phoenix, our children, would remember who she was. I'm glad she fought for as long as she did, for five years, she was absolutely remarkable."

Former Windsor mayor Eddie Francis speaks to CTV Windsor about the death of his wife Dr. Michelle Prince (Photo courtesy of CTV Windsor's Stefanie Masotti)

Transition to Betterness has announced its Comfort Care Tote Bag Program will be named after Prince.

Francis says it's fitting as Michelle spearheaded the campaign to help cancer patients receive essential items for their first round of chemotherapy.

"There were so many low points, but people never saw the low points. Her underlying passion was to make sure that she could reach as many patients as possible to help them get through the difficult times. Her legacy is do the best that you can, enjoy life to the fullest and don't wait for tomorrow because it may not come."

A private visitation for family and close friends will be held Wednesday at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home on Dougall Ave.

A public celebration of Michelle's life is planned for Thursday at Heritage Park Alliance Church at 2501 Concession Rd. 6 in LaSalle from 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm.

The family is also inviting the community to gather at Corpus Christi Church at 1400 Cabana Rd. W. in Windsor for a funeral mass being held at 10am Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to make a donation to Transition to Betterness to go towards the Dr. Michelle Prince Comfort Care Tote Bag Program.

— with files from CTV Windsor's Stefanie Masotti