Houston, Florence Edit
Florence passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2011 with her family by her side at the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital. She was born the only daughter to Elizabeth (nee Hyslop) and Eric Redpath of Mather, Manitoba. Florence travelled east to Fort William in the late 1940’s where she found employment at Chapples, the gift of friendship with Dorothy Buttars and the love of her life in Thomas (Tom) Houston. Florence and Tom married in 1951 and moved to Red Rock where they lived for more than 40 years. Florence loved her small community where she enjoyed gardening, crafts, and handiwork that was exceptional (knitting, crocheting and needlework). She was proudly an active member of the Red Rock United Church and spent hundreds of volunteer hours working for the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Fun was found with friends, bridge games, trips to Polly Lake to play cards and cheering for kids and grandkids at all kinds of sporting events. Florence loved travelling – short trips like those searching out lady slippers, picnics along the north shore, berry picking and – long trips like those to Manitoba each summer, exploring Canada and the U.S. and one trip overseas to Scotland. A stay-at-home Mom, whose house always smelled like freshly baked bread, Florence loved her part-time job at the Red Rock Public Library for the books, the connection to the young people of Red Rock and for the friendships.
Predeceased by her husband Thomas (Tom) Houston (1993), her brother Edward (Ted) and sister-in-law Norma Redpath of Mather, Manitoba, her parents Bessie and Eric Redpath as well as her in-laws – Marion Fulkerson (Houston), Jeanette Gerow (Houston), James Houston and Bill Houston.
Florence (Nanny Houston) will be remembered by her daughter Heather Houston of Thunder Bay, Ontario, her son David (& Wendy) Houston of Red Rock, Ontario and her most precious grandchildren – Dayna, Cassidy and Thomas along with in-laws – Jack (& Gwen) Houston of Kenton, Manitoba and Jean Daniel of Hamiota, Manitoba. Auntie Florence will be remembered by Janet Stammers of Toronto, Ontario, Farrell (& Joanne) Fulkerson of Thunder Bay and the Redpaths of Mather and Calgary (Dodsworth, Cordsen) along with numerous family across the west.
It is important to take just a moment to say a special thanks to the Bellamy family for welcoming Florence into their hearts.
According to Florence’s wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service for Florence Houston, in the care of the Elliott Funeral Home Ltd., Nipigon will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 11 A.M. at Red Rock United Church, Red Rock with Pastor Roberta Beyer R.D.L.M. officiating, assisted by Father Randall Morrisseau.
Interment of cremains will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a later date.
Friends so wishing may make donations to the Red Rock United Church, the Canadian Diabetes Association or to a charity close to your heart.
