FLORA (MACLEAN) WILCOX

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FLORA (MACLEAN) WILCOX Flora (MacLean) Wilcox, aged 95, passed away peacefully in Kelowna, BC September 8, 2012 with her children at her side. Our father, Mom's dear companion Elmer James Wilcox, predeceased her on June 30, 1989. Mom was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. She loved to dance and met our Canadian father, who also loved to dance, during the Second World War at the Locarno dancehall. Dad was a soldier who was taken captive at Dieppe and remained a prisoner of war for two years nine months, during which time Mom lovingly waited and sent many care packages. They married in Glasgow on June 20, 1945. As a war bride, Mom had to wait 11 months before she could follow Dad to Canada where they settled in Winnipeg and raised their children Ron and Linda. Mom's career was homemaker and she excelled at cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, recovering furniture, interior painting, planting both vegetable and flower gardens and making the best pickled beets and shortbread ever. She had a green thumb and could grow practically any plant indoors. Mom loved her Scottish homeland and raised her children to the works of Robbie Burns. She was passionate and despised the abuse of women, children or animals. Always an animal lover, many a pussy cat found a good home with Mom. Both she and Dad loved to read and Mom would read for hours at a time to us kids when sick in bed. Remaining behind to celebrate her life are son Ron, grandson Tom Duguid (Stacey) and their two daughters Claire and Hailey; daughter Linda (Tug Wilson), step-grandsons Jeffrey Wilson (Mandy) and Ryan Wilson (Adriana) and grandchildren Nicole, Sean, Lucas, Tad and Matthew. Mom's family remained in Scotland. Her older brother James predeceased her. She is lovingly remembered by her younger brother Martin (93) and nephews and nieces Farquhar MacLean (Judith); Martin MacLean (Christine); Norma Rae (George) and several great-nephews and nieces. In Canada Dad's brothers and sisters have all passed away, but several nephews, nieces and their children and grandchildren will keep Aunt Flora's memory close. Cremation has taken place. Mom's ashes were divided and some were scattered at a family gathering in her favourite spot, beautiful Peachland, BC. Ron took her there often because it reminded Mom of her treasured homeland. A Celebration of Mom's life will take place in Winnipeg Friday, October 5, 2012, 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 830 North Drive in Fort Garry. Mom's ashes will be interred with Dad's at Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any charity that rescues or cares for animals. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad. Christina Rossetti, 1849

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2012