November 14, 1930 - December 1, 2022
Mom was born in Grand Prairie, Alberta on November 14, 1930. She grew up on a farm in northern Alberta with her dad Jim, mother Eda and her brother Alfred. She loved the farm life and all of her animals: the horse she rode to school, her cow Blossom and her dog but more than anything she loved the companionship of her brother “Al”. Even though Mom left the farm in her teens she always remained a “farm girl” preferring a pair of jeans to anything else in her wardrobe.
The love for her family that began as a child became her life’s purpose and she put caring for others above all else. Flo married her highschool sweetheart Jack Willsey at 18 and had 2 daughters, Judy (Brian) and Deana. 10 years later she would meet Steve Forchuk while working at the Co-Op store in Beaverlodge, Alberta and fall madly in love. With her second marriage came a third daughter, Leslie and three step-children Rick (Betty), Joanne (Les) and Janet. She would often have a house full of children in the summer and we enjoyed having our siblings from Alberta come and visit us in Revelstoke.
Her brother Al and his family were also very close to our family and Mom would host all seven of them at our cabin on Mara Lake.
“Nannie” Flo’s mother lived with us after the death of Papa, Flo’s father, and the two of them were the best of friends.
In 1970 the family moved to Saskatoon and as us girls became older and more independent, Mom had time for her favorite hobbies and to hone her gardening skills in her large backyard garden. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, cooking and entertaining. She also joined the Sweet Adelines ladies acapella singing group and had a beautiful voice.
When the family moved to Kelowna, BC in 1977 and became business owners, Mom quickly changed gears and became one of the store managers at Mission Market on Lakeshore Road. Of the many moves Flo made in her life, one of her favorite experiences was when she and Steve moved to the Caribbean Island of Grenada. Entertaining family and living a life of luxury for that year suited her just fine!
When they returned to Kelowna they purchased a townhome in Rosewood Estates. The wonderful friendships Mom made there, her involvement as a member of the strata and the gardening gave her 33 years of enjoyment until her health forced her to move to Sunpointe Village where she lived for the last 3 years.
As all of her children married and had their own children, Mom’s circle of love continued to grow. Along with her children, Florence will be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Jason (Tara), Reid (Robin), Leisha (Reid), Cara (Bob), Cassidy, Brodie, Natalie, Michelle (Brad), Trish, Jennifer and Rodney as well as Flo’s great-grandchildren: Jack, Ella, Lily, Eliza, Griffin, Cash, Sayer, Briar, Navy, Finn, Cashelmara, Jase, Elijah and Emily. Sadly, she was predeceased by her great grandson Dustin last year.
Florence will also be missed by her nephew Ben, and nieces Sabrina, Nikki, Danielle and Natasha as well.
The family would like to thank the caring staff in the Belgo Unit at Sunpointe Village for their compassion and understanding during the years Mom resided there and especially her last week in their care where she passed away on December 1, 2022 with her daughters by her side.
We would also like to thank Dr. Larry Bobyn for the many years he served as her physician.
Please join the family for Flo’s Celebration of Life at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Road on April 28, 2023 at 12:30 pm. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Forchuk family.
FAMILIA
Judy (Brian)Daughter
DeanaDaughter
LeslieDaughter
Rick (Betty)step-son
Joanne (Les)step-daughter
Janetstep-daughter
Grandchildren:Jason (Tara), Redi (Robin), Lesiha (Reid), Cara (Bob), Cassidy, Brodie, Natalie, Michelle (Brad), Trish, Jennifer and Rodney. Great-grandchildren: Jack, Ella, Lily. Liza, Griffin, Cash, Sayer, Briar, Navy, Finn, Cashelmara, Jase, Elijah and Emily.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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