FLORENCE MILLIDGE GILLESPIE -

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FLORENCE MILLIDGE GILLESPIE 1909 - 2001 Florence Jane Lamb Gillespie, nee Millidge, formerly of Irving Place, North Kildonan, died peacefully in her 92nd year at Victoria General Hospital on January 2, 2001. The dearly loved wife of the late Robert A. Gillespie, who predeceased her in 1975. She was the much loved mother of Margaret, Barbara, Robert, Richard and Frederick; and grandmother extraordinaire of Patrick, Sarah Jane, Caitlin, Rebecca, Annabel, Aislinn, Elizabeth, Nora, Richard Jr. and Drew. Florence Gillespies Empire Loyalist family of St. John, New Brunswick, founded one of the countrys principal shipyards at Millidgeville, N.B., building many of the famous Tall Ships that sailed the trade routes of the world. Her father, Arthur Hamilton Millidge, came west to eventually settle in Hazelridge, MB, and marry Helen Agnes Lamb, where Florence and sister Evelyn were born. She attended her first school at Cooks Creek, completing her education at Montrose Academy in Scotland, her mothers birthplace. Upon graduating from the Manitoba Normal School, she taught with great pleasure and success at both Anola and Hazelridge Schools. Sixty happy years were spent at 155 Irving Place, which would be a haven and gathering place for family and friends; a welcome home that witnessed weddings, christenings and wonderful Christmas parties. Her creative nature was evident in both garden and home which reflected a style uniquely her own. Florence was an accomplished and dedicated artist, receiving her first training as a watercolourist whilst in Scotland. This led to her lifelong pursuit of painting that included an active membership of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Many of her best loved landscapes were of Gull Harbour on Hecla Island, which was for 75 years her most precious and treasured summer camp, where as a young girl she first began to visit her aunt, Deaconess Sarah E. Millidge. Following the establishment of Hecla Provincial Park in 1972, the family summer vacations continued on Lake Winnipeg at Hnausa. She was married in 1934 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, where she maintained a lifelong devotion and loyalty by her attendance at service, her activities in the ACW, and in particular, as a life member of the Chancel Guild of which she was president at various times over the years. Her unflappable demeanour provided an anchor for the family. We owe much to her as a family, for her steadfast love and support - with our thanks we say farewell - dear Granny! She will be remembered with great affection and love by those of her extended family - new members and old and numerous friends. Our thanks to the staff of the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for their always kind and thoughtful care. She will be lovingly laid to rest at St. Johns Cathedral Cemetery by pallbearers Robert A. Gillespie, Richard M. Gillespie, Frederick W.A. Gillespie, John S. Cundell, Marvin E. Tiller, Patrick R. Tiller. Burial service will be at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Donald Street and Graham Avenue, 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 12. Officiating clergy: the Rev. Robin Mather, Rector and the Rev. Ronald McCollough, Pastoral Assistant. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to either the Holy Trinity Church Endowment Fund, 256 Smith St., Winnipeg R3C 1K1 or a favourite charity. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 10, 2001