BEVERLY MAXINE GESELL (FLORENCE)

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BEVERLY MAXINE GESELL (FLORENCE) November 23, 1943 - August 8, 2007 Peacefully on August 8, 2007, surrounded by her loving family, Mum left this world after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Left to forever cherish her memory are her loving husband of 40 years, Lorence Gesell, daughter and son-in-law Shannon and Grant McKay, grandson Drake McKay all of Duncan, BC; brothers Hartley (Alice) Florence of Duncan, BC, Jack (Lyla) Florence of Edmonton, AB, Bob (Betty) Florence of Cold Lake, AB, sisters-in-law Diane Florence and Rose Florence both of Teulon, MB, sisters-in-law Martha Genzler of Cobourg, ON, Esther Bergquist of Winnipeg, MB, brothers-in-law Clarence (Elsie) Gesell of Winnipeg, MB, Harvey Gesell of Winnipeg, MB, Wally Gesell of Winnipeg, MB, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mum was predeceased by her parents Oswald and Lily Florence, sisters Helen Stanbra and husband Harold, Millie MacGarva and husband Bob, brothers Tom and Brian Florence, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ferdinand and Lydia Gesell, brother-in-law Harold Gesell and wife Elsie Gesell, brothers-in-law John Genzler, Ralph Bergquist, sisters-in-law Fern Gesell, Donna Gesell, and Helen Makuk. Mum was born on November 23, 1943, in Stonewall, MB, the youngest child of Ossie and Lily Florence. Mum lived on the family farm in Balmoral until she was around seven years old, at which time the family moved to Teulon. She attended school in Teulon, where she made some lifelong friends, including Edith Grant, before going on to study hairdressing in Winnipeg. Mum and Dad met in 1963, and were married on September 3, 1966. Their daughter Shannon was born in 1967, and the family moved back to Teulon in 1968. Mum and Dad continued to live in Teulon until June of 2005, when they decided to move to Duncan, BC, to be with daughter Shannon and her family. Mum was a homemaker whose greatest joy in life was being with her family and friends and raising her daughter Shannon. She was a loyal and loving person to all who knew her. She willingly gave support and assistance to anyone who needed it, no questions asked. She married her soul mate when she married Dad, and they stood side by side together as equals - each one of them one half of a perfect equation. Her and Dad were two peas in a pod, each of them not complete without the other and lived their life as one. Mum loved to cook for her loved ones, going on day trips with Dad and their friends Barry and Maxine and Ralph and Joan. She loved her birthday party gang of Maxine, Dorothy, Doreen, Joyce, Loretta, Meryl and Dale. She loved making pickles, puttering around outside, and watching cartoons with Drake. She loved baseball, a good book and a strong cup of tea. Mum faced this world and whatever it chose to throw at her with courage, dignity and grace. She taught us all that love, faith and humour will get you through life's tough times and that family is what is most important. She was and always will be our inspiration and guiding light. Dad and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our friends and family for their love, support, and prayers through this difficult time. We would also like to send our many thanks to Dr. Tom Rimmer and all the nurses on the second floor at Cowichan District Hospital and the nurses at Cowichan Lodge Palliative Care Unit for all your love, support and care of both Mum and us. See you later Pussycat! A graveside service will be held at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, 2347 Cedar Road, Cedar, BC, on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of Mum's life will be held at Sands Funeral Chapel, 187 Trunk Road, Duncan, BC, on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the Sands Arbor Reception Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to South Interlake Regional Library - Teulon Branch, Box 68, Teulon, Manitoba R0C 3B0. Online condolences may be offered at www.sandsfuneral.com Don't think of her as gone away - Her journey's just begun, Life holds so many facets - This earth is only one. Just think of her as resting From the sorrows and the tears In a place of warmth and comfort Where there are no days and years. Think how she must be wishing That we could know today How nothing but our sadness Can really pass away. And think of her as living In the hearts of those she touched . . . For nothing loved is ever lost - And she was loved so much. E. Brenneman

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2007