FLORENCE (NIX) STROM

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FLORENCE (NIX) STROM October 3, 1912 - November 19, 2009 Florence floated gently away the morning of Thursday, November 19, 2009 surrounded by the love of her family: Eva, John and Alice, Amelia, Cathleen, Sean, Meghan and Bjorn, Darwin, Pam and baby and many extended family members and friends. In the garden of humanity Florence was a flower: sweet, vibrant, colourful, gentle and fragrant with love. Born and raised in Winnipeg at 431 Greenwood Place, she was the fourth child of Ruben and Eva Nix. At 97 years of age, her passing marks the end of an era, as she was the last of her siblings: Vincent, Jack, Margaret, Slade and Alice. She began work at age 15, first as a typist, later as a secretary and eventually as an executive secretary. Moving to Toronto in late 1930's, she met her future husband there - handsome Norwegian Airman, Lieutenant Harald Strom. The Norwegian Airforce trained there during the war. After the war, she moved to Norway and married Harald. There they had three children, Eva, Solveig Elisabeth (born prematurely, she died at age 7 months) and John. Florence returned to Canada with her family in 1952 to Carberry, Manitoba and shortly afterwards to Winnipeg. She was a working mother, a strong participant in the Home and School Association, and active in the community. Harald died in 1976 and as a widow she continued to work for a number of years, participating actively with her grandchildren and community activities and continuing with her arts and crafts. Florence moved to Vernon in 1996. Here she enjoyed life as an active senior. Gradually slowing down, she lived with Eva for four years and finally spent the last chapter of her life at Noric House. A celebration of her life was held Monday, November 23, 2009 and the interment followed at the Vernon Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2010