Florence Elsbeth Lewis

Florence “Floss” was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on May 8th, 1925, daughter of Ewen Hillier and Rachel MacDonald Hillier.

Floss graduated from Glace Bay High School in 1944 and pursued her studies at Dalhousie University and then the Pathology Institute as a Laboratory Technician. Floss then worked at the Pathology Lab and later at the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic in Halifax.

She met her husband-to-be at Dal as he was continuing his studies at Dalhousie Medical School. She recounts that the happiest day of her life was when she married Doug. They moved to Digby in 1951 where Doug practised medicine for 35 years.

Floss devoted her life to her family and her community. She worked for 25 years in her husband’s medical office, first at the Water Street location and later at the McCleave Medical Centre. She was a member of The Ladies Hospital Aid, The Digby Pines Golf Club and The Digby Curling Club. After retirement in 1987 Floss lovingly cared for her husband for 16 years. Doug had suffered a stroke and was unable to read, write or speak. They were able to travel to Florida where they spent many winters and enjoyed a memorable cruise with friends to Alaska. Yearly highlights were the many special family celebrations in Dartmouth and the trips to the British Columbia Rockies for Thanksgiving.

Floss took up the hobby of quilt making and spent many years producing her masterpieces for family and friends. Throughout the years she participated in community organizations and church events. She could be seen doing her “morning rounds” throughout the community having friendly conversations with those she met. Floss was wise, compassionate, second mother to some, a valued friend to others, a listening ear when advice was sought and always eager to lend a helping hand when one was needed. She loved to laugh, drink tea, cook, sew, complete the Chronicle Herald crossword puzzles, refinish furniture and generally fix anything that needed to be fixed. Floss was a perfectionist in everything she did, so we all learned a thing or two in her presence.

Throughout the years she hosted, in Digby and at the cottage, many family, friends and visitors from around the world. Medical students enjoyed great chowders and tasty lunches with her and Doug. Her best friend was her older sister Ellen, together they travelled south and west and also spent lots of deck time at the lake. Floss loved spending time with the Baddeck Harvey crew and her nieces and nephews from both the Lewis and Hillier family who spread across the country.

When asked at her 100th birthday party last May how she would like to be remembered Floss said, “I would like to be remembered as a good person.”

Floss was well loved and lived a life with grace, regardless of obstacles. She will be dearly missed by us all.

She is survived by her children (by age) Linda (Robbie) Invermere B.C., Paul (Holly) Dartmouth N.S., Grandchildren Katherine and Ian (Gordon) and Laura and Leslie (Lewis) and by her totally adored great granddaughters Zoe Conrad, Georgia and Cecilia Westhaver.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Douglas E. Lewis, brother Arthur Hillier, sister Isabel Hillier and great grandson William Douglas Westhaver.

She will be interred at Doug’s gravesite at the Canadian National Military Cemetery in Ottawa Ontario.