FLORENCE MARGARET CROLLY

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FLORENCE (FLO) MARGARET CROLLY (THOMAS) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Crolly at 93 years of age. She is survived by two sons, Jack (Darlene) and Ken Crolly, two grandchildren, Colin (Jennifer) Crolly and Allison (Ken Dessler) Crolly. Florence will also be missed by her four great-grandchildren, Aiyana, Georgina, Isaac and Jake; and by her many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Jack Crolly and by her grandson, Jason Crolly. Florence was born in 1922, and grew up on Rathgar Street in Winnipeg. The youngest of seven siblings, she was the last to arrive on the scene, and with her passing, she is the last of the siblings to leave us. Mom worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life. A highlight was the period she worked at the Rancho Don Carlos night club. She delighted in meeting and getting to know a variety of celebrities including Bob Hope, The Deep River Boys, Jerry Colonna and Sophie Tucker. She also spent a period as a cashier at A&P, and then worked at Statistics Canada until her retirement. Mom lived her life the way she wanted right to the end, remaining in her own house, and in the tradition of her father, insisting on tending her own garden because she liked to get her hands into the dirt. Mom had many talents, but if there was anything she would wish to be remembered as, it would be as a great cook and she kept her cooking secrets close to her chest, vowing that the secret to her famous baked beans would remain with her till the day she died. Her wonderful butter tarts, and the recipe that she and her sister Mildred shared, set a standard that many have strived to emulate, but few could match. Another of mom's passions was crafting. Her basement was for many years, a centre for a group of friends and family dedicated to various crafts. While the crafts provided the excuse for the get togethers, it was the comradery that was really important to mom. Her first and primary passion however was always her family and (even at 93 years old), her group of friends whose relationships she fostered for many decades. In more recent years, even as mobility became more difficult, you could find her spending endless hours either on the phone keeping in touch with extended family and friends here in Winnipeg and across the country or sitting cross-legged on the floor playing card games, doing a craft or simply teaching one of her beloved great grandchildren how to "properly" wrap a gift. As a family we would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to the many people who have provided support to, and help for mom as she continued to live independently in her house for 16 years since dads passing in 2000. We would especially like to thank the Toyne family for their ongoing support and concern for mom. In addition, there is no way we can express our appreciation to mom's neighbours, Paul and Karen, for their ongoing friendship and assistance to mom. It is people like these who make this a better world for all of us. A Celebration of Flos' life will be held at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave. (across from Brookside Cemetery) on Wednesday June 8 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 04, 2016