FLORENCE ELLEN BARLOW

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FLORENCE ELLEN BARLOW On June 22, 2009 at Gimli Community Health Centre with her favourite music filling the room and family by her side Florence Barlow was promoted to glory. She is survived by her son William (Jocelyn) of Gimli and grandchildren Eliza (Brookes Merritt), Jacqueline (Carlos Lopez), April, and Geoffrey; her son David (Diana) of Toronto and grandchildren Peter (Jessica) and Jennifer (Shawn Lardner); and one great-granddaughter, Peter and Jessica's Elizabeth Grace. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Benjamin in January 2005. Florence was born February 2, 1919 in Moose Jaw, SK to Ellen Sarah Butcher and Carl Mervin Banta. Ellen arrived in Canada from England, Carl from Indiana and the two met and married near Elbow, SK. It was her father who gave her the nickname Toots which stayed with her for the rest of her life. Soon after the birth of her brother Carl in 1921, Toots and her family moved to Edmonton, AB. At age nine, her father chose to leave his family, an event that affected her profoundly. Her mother continued to support and nurture her children, at great sacrifice. During her teens, Toots began a life-long commitment to her faith in God as a soldier in the Salvation Army and it was there that she met the love of her life Ben Barlow. They were married February 2, 1942 in Edmonton on her birthday. The Barlows and their two sons born in Edmonton moved from Edmonton to Regina and finally to Winnipeg as Ben's career as a baker with FW Woolworth progressed from place to place. In all three places, Toots was a Salvation Army Primary Leader and Songster and for a few years worked in the Army's Lindenview Home in Winnipeg. In 1979, Toots and Ben retired to Gimli and their quaint home in the evergreens, and enjoyed a long and peaceful retirement. Toots was blessed with good health all her life and continued to live in their home on 5th Avenue in Gimli until just days before her passing. She was well-known for her remarkable skill as a knitter. Family, friends, local businesses, and charities benefited from a steady high quality supply of sweaters, socks, blankets, tea cozies, and toques in a variety of colors and skillful designs. Discovered in her sewing basket at her passing was a completed pair of wool socks for one of her grandchildren. Florence's family will be forever grateful to those health care professionals who gave her such good care - her family physician Dr. S.V. Patel, the wonderful nursing staff at Gimli Community Health Centre, and three fine Gimli ambulance crews. At Florence's request cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held in Gimli at a later date soon to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence's memory to the Gimli Community Healing Garden, Box 250, Gimli, MB, R0C 1B0. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 24, 2009