Obituary of Florence Lake

B I O G R A P H Y LAKE: Florence Wilson Lake passed away in the Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the age of 91 years. Florence is survived by: one sister-in-law Kay Lake of Lloydminster; two nephews: Harry Lake and his wife Jean of Mervin and Roy Lake and his wife Michelle of Lloydminster; five great nieces and nephews: Rhonda and Ernie, Brad and his wife Danielle, Sydney, Drew and his wife Leanne, and Angela, one great great nephew Dane, one great great niece Emily. The funeral service for Florence was conducted from the Mervin United Church, Mervin, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Pat Ribey officiating. A Eulogy was given by Roy Lake. A duet "In The Bulb There Is A Flower," was sung by Catherine & Reverend Canon Don Skinner. Hymns sung were “In The Garden,” and “We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection,” accompanied on the organ by Noreen Williamson. The Mervin Community Choir sang “One Day At A Time,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Honorary pallbearers were all those whose lives have been touched by Florence. Active pallbearers were: Drew Lake, Brad Lake, Robert McNinch, Brian McNinch, Michael McNinch and Alex McDonald. Interment followed in the Mervin Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., administered the funeral arrangements. FLORENCE WILSON LAKE was born September 26, 1914, at the Lake homestead, located Section 22 Township 50 Range 21 West of the 3rd Meridian. She lived in that same house until she entered the Riverside Health Complex nearly 90 years later in March of 2004. She was the eldest child of Ada (Kirkpatrick) and Harry John Lake. Two brothers, Jack and Keith came later. The three of them grew up happily with all their Lake, Kirkpatrick, McDiarmid and Gemmell grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. All the families lived in the Mervin area. We’ve heard many stories about events of those years. Florence, Jack and Keith were special because their mother Ada died in March of 1920 during the flu’ epidemic when Florence was just five years old. All the relatives helped in caring for them and their father, who never remarried. Although Auntie Florence never married, she was a caregiver like no other. She “mothered” her brothers and her dad, keeping house for them with help and guidance from life-long friend Elsie Young. Florence was like a second mother to Harry and me. We loved to be at the farm where Grandpa, Jack and Florence totally spoiled us. Auntie Florence always had baking… I loved her scones and hot chocolate. In the morning there would be porridge and Auntie Florence would have her serving spoon and ask us “How many?” Harry and I were even given a Shetland pony named “Toko” which we drove in countless parades, hitched to a pony cart Grandpa had built. Toko would go to the house and Auntie Florence would open the kitchen door and give him a carrot, not realizing he had just bucked one of us off. He was way better driving than riding. We had 4-H calves we kept at the farm and you can imagine we didn’t do all the work required by ourselves. We loved to spend every possible holiday at the farm. When Harry and Jean moved to the farm in 1976, Florence was thrilled to again have children to baby-sit and love. Rhonda, Brad and Sydney were very special to her as were our children, Drew and Angela. In Florence’s eyes we were all perfect. She never criticized us, just gave us praise. She was proud of all of our activities including school and sports. Rhonda talks about the scrap books Florence kept, with every newspaper article and picture imaginable about all of us – ball, hockey, curling and school events beginning with Jack and Keith and including all of us down the years. In recent years she delighted in her great-great niece and nephew, Emily and Dane. She attended their birthdays in November and as recently as January 29th of this year. Family, Farm and Faith were Florence’s life and heart. She was a totally contented woman taking care of people, her home and garden, cooking delicious meals and she was delighted when there were guests- drop in or expected. She loved to cook and collect recipes and she was always trying new ones. We’re sure this battered pie plate baked a million pies. The children learned to bake with her and a favorite calendar picture shows Rhonda as a toddler, rolling piecrust in Florence’s kitchen. Florence was one of the Riverside residents anxious to share favorite old recipes. The eventual result was the recent successful cookbook “Above the Turtle” published for Saskatchewan’s centennial. She loved new kitchen equipment including her dishwasher, microwave and breadmaker, always willing to embrace modern technology. Florence loved to drive her car and the children were often with her. Brad recalls the time when there was construction in the river valley near Proctor's. Culverts were being put in to replace the old bridge. Florence was nervous to drive over the rocky, bumpy construction site and at this time Brad told her “Don’t go around by the bridge, just go over the river – Drive like the Duke’s of Hazard.” Florence just laughed and drove around it very slowly. Jack and Florence loved to go for Sunday drives and another favorite pastime was driving into Mervin to watch ball games. In her senior years Florence began bowling. She loved the activity and socializing. She continued to be interested in everything about the farm. She often phoned Harry and Jean, whether it be seeding, harvest or calving time, just to stay in touch. Just an hour before she passed away Florence asked about the cows and calving. She had a terrific memory. Just last week Brad spent time with Florence asking her to identify people in some old pictures and she was able to help with each one. Church was special to Florence and she had a deep true faith. Sundays were sacred and for many years no work was done on Sundays. Florence enjoyed belonging to U.C.W. and she shared hosting meetings with Cora McNinch. She really looked forward to those meetings, planning months ahead what to serve and if she should order new curtains for the kitchen. Florence’ close friends as she grew up were Lily McNinch and Bernice McDonald. In recent years her closest friends were Cora and Marion McNinch. Auntie Florence was special to all of us. We will all miss her so much. Jean, Harry and Sydney, who have done so much for her, will especially miss her. We always have regrets when we lose a loved one. We know Rhonda wishes she was here today but we also know that Auntie Florence would have wanted them to go on this trip to Mexico that they’ve had planned for months. As a family, we regret that Florence will not be here to share the Centennial Celebration for the Lake farm on July 1st. She was so looking forward to the reunion and enjoyed talking about plans. Florence was thrilled to receive her award as a member of the original farm family.” In closing, we thank you all, family and friends in attendance today, for sharing with us in the celebration of Florence’s life. Also, to all who participated in the service this afternoon…Thank you. Card of Thanks Sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of the Riverside Hospital and Nursing Home for their care. Thank you to all who took part in the service celebrating Florence's life - to Reverend Pat Ribey for leading the service and for her comforting message, Reverend Canon Don Skinner and Catherine for their beautiful duet, Noreen Williamson, organist and Mervin Community choir, the pallbearers and to Roy for the Eulogy, Danielle and Angela for scripture readings, Sydney and Leanne for candle lighting. A special "Thank you" to all who visited, brought gifts of flowers, food, made memorial donations, and who supported our families in so many ways. Thank you to the McCaws, Dale and Dave for their compassionate care in handling funeral arrangements in such wintry weather and to all those who attended the service. Donations in memory of Florence may be made to the Riverside Health Complex Residence Fund or to the Mervin United Church.