Florence Gladys Crossan

August 8th, 1917 – June 17th, 2011

It is with great sadness we announce that our dear mother, Florence passed away peacefully in Toronto, Ontario with family by her side.

Mom was born in Toronto, Ontario. In grade school, she was chosen to attend Arthur Lismer’s Saturday morning drawing classes at the Ontario Art Gallery. Her interest in art continued throughout her life. She was a recognized member of many art societies including the Federation of Canadian Artists. As a child, Mother lived in Brighton, Ontario, Vista, California and then back to Toronto. As a young woman of 16, she met George Crossan whom she married in 1940. They settled in Leaside where they brought up their three daughters, Gerry, Donna and Jean. After, Dad’s sudden death in 1970, Mom pursued her passions for art and writing. She loved to move and lived in Edmonton, Victoria and Toronto over the years.

Mom was a very warm woman with a delightful sense of humour. Although Mom loved her family and friends deeply, she had a strong sense of self and a very independent nature. She loved to paint, write, play scrabble, do crossword puzzles and read incessantly. One of her life’s ambitions (commitments) was to write her own mother’s biography. She undertook this task at the age of 84 and learned how to use ‘that machine’ - a computer. The Thirteenth Child was published in time for her 91st birthday. We are so very proud of our Mom and her many accomplishments.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Donna Crossan (David Zimmer), Jean Adshead (Chris) and her son-in-law Nick Naunheimer Sr; her grandchildren Laura Myers (Gary), Nick Naunheimer (Liz), Jennifer Naunheimer, Rebecca Case, Jeremy Flynn (Mandy), Andrew Flynn, Katy Flynn; and her great-grandchildren Jessica & Jonathan Myers, Katherine, Ian & Hanna Naunheimer, Ryan & David Green and Aidan & Mackenzie Flynn; her sister Frances Macdonald and many other family and friends.

Mom has gone to be with Dad, her parents George and Florrie, her eldest daughter Gerry Naunheimer and her sisters, Grace and Dorothy as well as her brother Georgie.

The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors and nurses of Toronto Grace Palliative Care Hospital for their excellent care.

Friends may call at the Trull “North Toronto” Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street (5 blocks south of Lawrence) from 1:00 pm until the time of the Memorial Service which will be held in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined. If desired, donations to the Toronto Grace Palliative Care Unit www.torontograce.org or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.trullfuneralsyonge.com.