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Florence Sarah Stinson (Hyatt)

 

Florence Sarah Stinson passed away June 18, 2012 at Heritage House Stettler, at the age of 96. Florence was born in Windsor, Ontario on April 11, 1916 to Wallace and Mabel Hyatt (Stevens), second oldest of 11 children. She attended Armstrong public school in Dawn Township and graduated from high school in Dresden, Ontario. In 1935, she married Grant Stinson and they settled in Wallaceburg, Ontario. In 1940, during World War 2, she worked at "Schultz Die Casting" ammunition factory in Wallaceburg. During the war, men were needed in the West to help harvest the crops, so her husband Grant and brother Charlie, rode the train to Alberta for the "Harvest Excursion" in 1944. After that, Grant always wanted to go back to the west. In 1947, daughter Susan Elizabeth was born, and Sara-Jane came along in 1951. Around 1957, they took over Florence's aunt and uncle's farm near Dresden and helped care for them. When the aunt and uncle died, the farm was sold, the family moved to Bowden, Alberta in 1962 (Florence's parents and several siblings had previously moved there), and took up farming. Florence was always interested in nursing, and in her 50's she took a nursing attendant correspondence course. Though she never was employed as a NA, she had helped care for several elderly relatives and friends in her own home or theirs in her younger years. She liked to knit, crochet, embroider and was an accomplished seamstress. She gave sewing lessons in her home, at Olds College, and the White/Elna fabric store in Red Deer. She sewed everything from bras and girdles, to wedding dresses and men's suits - and most of her kids and grandkids clothes for years. She dabbled in sketching and painting early on and took it up again in her 60's, painting with acrylics - several of her paintings hung in her room in Heritage House. She also took swimming lessons in her 60's, after having a fear of water all of her life. About the same time she tried yoga and enjoyed it very much. Florence enjoyed Sunday drives and picnics, gardening and harvesting the results. She loved the sights, sounds, smells and activities of the changing seasons, but her favorite was the fall - taking meals to the men in the field during harvest was always a highlight. Florence was a member of the United Church and though she hadn't attended services for the last several years, had a strong faith and a well read bible full of personal notes and held together with masking tape. What she loved most was her family - they always came first. She was a wonderful cook and hosted countless family gatherings, where the food and hospitality were plentiful. Florence moved to Paragon Place in Stettler a few years after Grant passed away and then to Heritage House in 2009. She is survived by daughters, Susan (Barry) Goodman of Charlie Lake BC, Janie (Fred) von Krogh of Stettler; grandchildren, Grant (Candi) Payette of Fort St John BC, Greg (Dania) Payette of Charlie Lake BC, Colleen (James) Walton of Olds, Erika (Phil Duguay) von Krogh of Canmore, Angela von Krogh of Canmore; nine great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; sister, Verlyn of London Ont.; brothers, Charles of Chilliwack BC, Carl of Canso NS, Jim, Ross (Sharon) and brother-in-law, Keith Thomson from Kelowna BC as well as several nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by her parents, Wallace and Mabel Hyatt; husband, Grant Stinson; brothers, Donald and Murray Hyatt; sister, June Thomson as well as two brothers, Leo and Dean who died in infancy. Memorial service will be held at Brennen Funeral Chapel on Friday June 29, 2012 with Rev. Dave Denholm officiating. Interment will take place at the Bowden cemetery, on Saturday June 30, 2012. If so desired, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Stettler Health Services Foundation, or to the charity of your choice in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services P.O. Box 193 Stettler, Alberta TOC 2LO, who have been entrusted with the care and arrangements 403.742.3315.

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