Florence "Toodles" Margaret Dale

Know Thyself

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our mother, Florence Margaret Dale (née Nicholls), in her 90th year, Sunday October 19th 2025, at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto with family at her side. Loving mother of Cindy (Tom) Christine (George), Christopher, Jennifer (Chris) and loving step-mother to Darlene. Predeceased by her son Danny (Liz), and step-sons Rickie (Cheryl) and Gary. Cherished Grandma Toodles to Patricia (Tyler), Stephanie (Chris), James (Rose), Michael, Emily, Elizabeth, Chloe and Kathryn. Great Grandma to Jacob, Suzanne, Nicholas, Sandrine and Willoughby. Florence was predeceased by her first husband, George Loch and her husband of 54 years, Jim Dale.

Florence, nicknamed “Toodles” by her maternal grandmother, was born to Florence Elizabeth Nicholls (née Kehoe), a farm girl from Brechin, and William John Nicholls, from Penryn, England. Florence grew up in a Toronto rooming house at Church and Wellsley run by her grandmother and mother during the Depression and war years. Her father, the Chief Engineer on a Great Lakes cargo ship, was home only briefly until the lakes froze each winter. At age 12 the family bought a house in the east end where she went to St. Brigid elementary and Notre Dame High School, making close friends she stayed in touch with until her death.

At the age of 20 Florence married her high school sweetheart George Loch, a welder, and in less than six years they had a family of four young children. She found much joy throughout these years of intense mothering, yet still managed to stay close with her sister Liddy, who lived in the Southern U.S., and her brother Art.

In 1965, when the Canadian government was looking for welding instructors to teach in East Africa, George leapt at the opportunity, taking Florence and the children to a home on the outskirts of Dar es Salam, Tanzania. A year later, after the family was flown home because of George’s cancer diagnosis, Florence was widowed at the age of 29 with four children under the age of 10.

Florence soon met and married Toronto firefighter Jim Dale, a widower with three children, creating a family of seven children, which quickly expanded to eight when their daughter Jennifer was born. As the kids grew up Florence found time for herself, volunteering as a receptionist at the Main Street Community Centre, joining a women’s bowling league, and dancing at the local Legion with Jim on Friday nights.

Becoming a grandma brought tremendous joy and Florence put much effort into finding ways to connect with her eight grandkids. In her 50s, after a 30-year hiatus, Florence returned to paid work, retiring as receptionist at a local funeral home where her gentle and compassionate nature was a comfort to many.

In mid-life Florence developed a strong daily spiritual practice and, as she often said, “that’s when I grew up.” Finding the courage to look inward, to “know thyself,” and share her struggles helped Florence forge strong loyal relationships, which were a crucial support when she faced many losses, burying three sons and a nephew who was like a son to her, as well as two husbands. Very much a people person and a good listener who was genuinely interested in those she met, Florence’s warm encouraging presence often meant a person opened up and shared some of their personal story to an extent that surprised them.

Florence had a quiet strength but also a fun, (sometimes surprisingly ribald!) sense of humour, and loved a joke, which helped her face down a serious cancer diagnosis for three years. She was also a loyal Blue Jays fan and would have been thrilled with their successes in the days after she passed -- Yay Blue Jays!

Florence was fortunate to have the kindest of caregivers and greatly appreciated their heart felt support. Many thanks to her team of PSWs, Ravneet, Blassett, Antonia, Kezia, Afifa, and especially Julianna, who gave three years of care and comfort. Thanks also to her medical teams: Palliative doctor Russell Goldman and nurse Sangita at Mount Sinai Hospital, and Dr. Stéphanie L’heureux’s oncology team at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The kindness of friends she made and staff she got to know during her three years at Venvi Leaside Retirement Home, which she often said truly felt like “home” because of them, were a crucial source of encouragement and emotional support.

Florence’s beautiful smile, gentle kindness and humour will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

There will be a Celebration of Life for the residents and staff of Venvi Leaside Retirement Home in the Library on Wednesday, November 5, 1:30-3 pm, 14 William Morgan Drive, Toronto.

A larger Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held Sunday, November 16, 2:30 ( doors Open). Service 3 -4 pm at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Covenant House, or a charity of your choice.