FLORENCE CHALLIS (ROBINSON)

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FLORENCE CHALLIS (nee ROBINSON) Florence (nee Robinson) Challis passed away peacefully in Winnipeg on Saturday, August 9, 2003 at the age of 87. Florence will be lovingly remembered by her children, Deborah (Ernie), Adrian (Ellen), Bradford (Nazaneen), Elizabeth (Joe), Stephen (Gila) and grandchildren, Donald, Kate, Daniel, Tanya, Stephen, Nicolai, Aaron, Frank and Jonathan; her sister Winifred Greenfield of Warwickshire, England; and her nephews, Timothy (Emma) and their children, Harry, Charlotte and Edwina of England, and Michael (Luciane) and their children, Daniel, Nicholas and Natasha. Florence was predeceased by her husband, Harold in 1970; and her sisters, Jane Cobb and Louise Robinson. Florence was born, raised, and educated in Cardiff, Wales. At the age of 17 she moved to London to train as a nurse. There, serving as a Hospital Sister at University College Hospital, she met her husband, Dr. A. W. H. (Harold) Challis. Family lore has them meeting in the operating room as their eyes met over their surgical masks. They married at the height of the war and Florence continued to serve as a nurse while Harold served in the British Army as a doctor in Africa and Burma. She vividly recalled her wartime experiences and often told stories of the rationing and bombing of London. Florence and Harold were reunited at the end of the war, and in 1950, immigrated to Canada with their two children. Harold established his medical practice in Fort Frances while Florence created a warm and loving home for Harold and their five children, residing most of her life on Armit Avenue within minutes of the La Verendrye Hospital and the river. On many summer days Florence, Harold and their children would travel by boat up Rainy River to their cottage on Rainy Lake. Many of her fondest memories were of events and celebrations that took place at the cottage with her family and their many friends. Florence, an avid golfer and longtime member of the Kitchen Creek Golf Club, continued to golf until this year. Her attitude about her golf game reflected her approach to life; you have some good shots and bad shots but you only remember the good ones. Florence loved to travel and each year went to England to visit her sister Win and to Florida to visit her longtime friend, June Smith. Many peoples lives were touched by Florence; she took an interest in everyone, whether close family, friends, or acquaintances. She worked tirelessly for the community, especially through her many hours of volunteer work for the La Verendrye Hospital Womens Auxiliary. The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Johnstone, the nurses at La Verendrye Hospital, and the staff at Riverview Health Care Centre in Winnipeg for the care and support they provided to Florence and her family. A celebration of Florences life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14 at St. Johns Anglican Church, Fort Frances, ON. In lieu of flowers, friends, if they wish, may make donations to the Riverside Health Care Facility Foundation, Fort Frances. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 13, 2003