FLORENCE KIRBY

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FLORENCE KIRBY Florence Irene Kirby (nee Smith) passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on November 4, 2012 at the Grace Hospice after a three year battle with cancer. Florence was born October 22, 1926 on a farm near Sedley, Saskatchewan to Emma (nee Rossnagel) and Bernard Schmidt. The family moved to the Elmwood/North Kildonan area of Winnipeg when Florence was a toddler so that her father could take a position with Canada Packers. Florence attended King George V and Lord Selkirk schools, earning merit certificates in Grades 9 and 10 for grades above 80%. Florence left school to work at Fairfields Sons during the war and manufactured blankets for the army. She quickly moved up within the company to the shipping room and then into administration. She enhanced her aptitude for office work by taking business college night classes. In 1948, Florence accepted a typist's position with the Income Tax office (Revenue Canada) and again quickly ascended to assessing returns for ex-patriot Canadians including NHL hockey players. On July 5, 1952, Florence married Arthur (Art) Nelson Kirby at King Memorial United Church in Winnipeg. She continued to work for the Income Tax Office until 1960 when they started a family. In 1964, Art accepted a promotion within the Liquor Control Commission and the family transferred to Souris, Manitoba - with the youngest child only a few months old. They remained in Souris for 26 years, where Florence was active in ceramics, curling and the Rebekahs fraternity. She was an avid walker and bingo player. Like her children, she learned to swim and drive a car while in Souris. With the kids in school, Florence returned to work; clerical with Kirkup Agencies; housekeeping at Souris Hospital; and Nurse's Aide at the Personal Care Home. Florence and Art spent their retirement traveling Canada and the USA. In 1991, Art made good on his promise to return Florence to Winnipeg. Unfortunately, Art passed away in 1992 shortly before their 40th wedding anniversary! Florence remained an avid traveller; taking cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii; bus trips to Branson, Missouri and the east coast of Canada; and visiting England. She had a wide circle of friends with whom she regularly spent time - taking trips, getting together for birthdays and holidays, or just visiting. She was an active member of the Riverside and Parkside club, Good Neighbours club, and the North Kildonan United Church. Florence was predeceased by husband Art Kirby; parents Bernard and Emma; siblings Leonard, Edith and Calvin, and brother-in-law Rod. Florence will be sadly missed by children Glen (Kathy), Irene (Paul), and Patrick (Tracy); grandchildren Tyler, Aidan, Nevada, Emma, Bryn and Noah; brother Jim (Barbara Ann); sisters-in-law Helen (Leonard), Joyce (Calvin); and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends both in Winnipeg and Souris. Florence's family wishes to express gratitude to the many people from the medical community who worked tirelessly to ease her journey. A celebration of Florence's life will be held Thursday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. at North Kildonan United Church, 174 Pentland St., Winnipeg, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom's memory can be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the Palliative Care program.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 06, 2012