FLORENCE LILLIAN PIERCE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FLORENCE LILLIAN PIERCE It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Florence Lillian Pierce on March 5, 2007 at the age of 102 years. Left to cherish her memory are her nephews, Morton Pierce in Boston, MA, Norman Pierce (Marg) in Calgary, AB and Donald Pierce (Verla) of Oxbow, SK; her niece Patricia Warren (Clark) of Oakville, ON, and her sister-in-law Mrs. Evelyn Pierce of Oxbow, SK. Predeceasing Florence were her parents, George and Janet Pierce; her brothers, Alfred and Herbert Pierce; her sister Patricia Speck, and her sister-in-law Mrs. Dorothy Pierce. The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Pierce, Florence was born in Oak River, MB in 1905. At an early age she came to Oxbow with her parents in 1918. Here she received her elementary and high school education. During her high school years she was actively involved in basketball and played a cornet in the Oxbow Band conducted by Mr. George Hames. In 1926 Florence trained for the teaching profession. Her first five years of teaching were in rural schools, including Coldridge, Purplehill and Arthur, north of Oxbow. This profession later took her to Melville in 1930 where she spent 13 years until she left in 1943 for war service. During the Second World War Florence held an administrative office with the Naval Division of the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. After the war she joined the Winnipeg teaching staff. Florence retired from Grant Park High School in 1970. Florence became actively involved and prominent in politics. She felt that women can also make a fine contribution, doing the job as well as, if not better than, most men. In 1958 she was elected as the first alderwoman on the St. Vital Council, where she served as chairman of many different departments and as Deputy Mayor for 12 years. After Winnipeg's unification in 1971 she represented St. Vital on the Winnipeg City Council for two terms, retiring in 1977 after 18 years in public service. In 1967 the Government of Canada awarded Florence a Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the nation. After teaching school for half a century and as an elected politician for 18 years, Florence enjoyed retirement in East St. Paul, where she lived with her cocker spaniels. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and her ashes will be buried in the family plot in Oxbow, SK. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 20, 2007