Emerald Votroubek

Emerald is survived by her son Norman Flower (Isobel) and her daughters Cindy Spencer and Pamela Flower (Richard Gunter). Daughter in law Ann Flower (David), grandchildren Richard, Jennifer, Garrett, Paul and Edward and her 8 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Walter Votroubek (2014), her first husband Russell Flower (1969), son David Flower (1990) and grandson Nicholas Spencer (2017).

Mum was born in Mountain Ash, Wales, UK to Benjamin and Margaret Teague. In 1936 Mum along with her siblings and parents moved to Watford, England. Soon WW2 was upon them and life changed for everyone. In 1942 Mum met Pte. Russell Flower of the Canadian Army at a dance that she and her best friend Joan attended and love soon flourished. By November 1943 they were married and in October 1944 Norman was born. In late winter 1944-45 she and Norman at 6 months old sailed to Canada in a convoy across the north Atlantic to their new home with Russell’s parents. They settled into the Flower home in Toronto to await the return of Russell after the war. Upon his return soon followed the birth of David in 1949, Cindy in 1954 and Pam in 1956.

Mum was a housewife but also worked outside the family home starting in 1958 as secretary at DeHavillands, then moved onto Simpsons-Sears, York University and later in California at CSU Dominguez Hills.

Life moved on celebrating the highs and lows. In 1968 Mum and Dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary but by April 1969 Dad passed away. On a visit to see her sister Marjorie in California in 1975 she was introduced to Walter Votroubek. Marriage followed in 1978 leading to her next big change in life as she and Walt made their home in Long Beach, California where Walt lived and worked. After a few years there and having both retired from their careers they moved north to Sammamish, Washington. There they made many friends through their local Episcopal Church.

In July of 2014 Walt passed away in his 95th year. This led to Mum’s final big change in her life as she moved back to Canada to live with Pam and son in law Richard in their home in Chilliwack BC. Mum settled in and spent her remaining years being loved and cared for until her passing peacefully away.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date at Sanctuary Park Cemetery in Toronto.