Born May 23, 1935 Flin Flon, Manitoba, died March 31, 2023 Thunder Bay, Ontario
Survived by her loving husband Gabriel Paulmartin, children Deborah, Laury, Michael (Della), Gregory Alexander, grandchildren Becky Spenceley (Dave), Jamie Harju-Hallquist (Ryan), John W. Harju (Linda), great-grandchildren Sam Spenceley, Penelope Harju-Hallquist
Florence will be forever missed by sister Eva Gould, her Paulmartin in-laws, numerous relatives and dear lifetime friends.
Born in a cabin in the harsh terrain of Northern Manitoba, Florence was the eldest child of pioneering parents. She carved out a life for herself surrounded by her younger sisters and brother. She excelled in sports, academics and singing.
She married her 1st husband Gordon Alexander, bearing 4 children within 8 years, the Alexander kids known as Debbie, Laury, Mike and Greg. (all are now in their 60's).
In the 1960's, she completed her RNA and became an emergency and OR tech nurse all the while raising four kids under 8 years of age while employed. She was instrumental in the founding and first nursing unionization and ran that union out of her Hamilton Ave. home for years.
She served the nursing profession in her career, in union leadership as well as serving on the Board of the College of Nurses of Ontario for RN's, RNA's, RPNS and NPs until retirement.
She met her soulmate, an EMT paramedic named Gabriel Paulmartin who couldn't wait to propose marriage to her. This is a man who took her and her 4 children into his arms as his own. They took up residence on Maple Street in Rosslyn up until 2021.
We all witnessed a true love story evolve between Gabe and Florence that was tenacious up to her last breath. They were caregivers to one another.
Florence, a retired nurse, never stopped taking care of others as she set the standard for community giving and even more so in her retirement years. She canned food and jams, a talented seamstress, crafts person, knitted prayer blankets or newborn beanie cradle caps for churches and hospitals.
She was a founder and member of the Rural Food Bank, served as a volunteer and benefactor to a number of animal shelters, churches and volunteer organizations.
Most important to her were the rural community whom she held dear, her neighbours, her loving friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute Rosslyn branch.
Florence died on her own terms yet very peacefully. She didn't just live a life; she made a life. She leaves this earth a better place.
The family thanks the many healthcare teams and our eldest sibling Debbie Alexander, all of whom enabled Florence to manage her end of life with the grit and tenaciousness she held in life.
Cremation has taken place and as per Florence's wishes, no service or memorials will take place.
