Florence Mary Havill

She was born in England in 1919, a daughter of the late William and Sara (MacLeod) Coull. As a young child, Florence immigrated with her family to Montreal, QC in 1923, where she lived for the next forty-seven years. Following basic education, Florence took a nursing course in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and during a number of years she worked in hospitals in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. Though she life the nursing career, circumstances brought a change and for the next twenty years she held various office positions in Montreal. Florence enjoyed music and sang in the Alguire Choir while living in Montreal. She was an avid reader of Christian literature and biographies.

Early in life, Florence realized she had a spiritual need which only could be met by surrendering her life to God and accepting the salvation provided by the death of Christ on the cross.

During 1968, Florence met the late Walter Havill of Halifax and after two years friendship, they were married and Florence came to live in Halifax. Florence held various short term positions in Halifax and ended her career by working eight years as Church Secretary at Grace Chapel, including thirty-three years as Church Librarian.

Florence is survived by her loving step-daughter, Ruth Havill and caregiver with whom she shared a home. Also, step-daughters, Joyce Leadbeater, Deerfield Beach, Florida; Lois Manuel (Albert), Abbotsford, BC; step-sons, Douglas Havill, Keith Havill, Halifax; Reginald Havill (Sharon), Berwick, NS; step daughters-in-law, Joan Havill, Windsor, NS; Hazel Havill, Bedford, NS and many step grand-children and their families in Canada and the US.

Florence is also survived by her sister in-law, Kathleen Coull of Kingston, ON. Loved aunt of Kenneth (Lorraine) Coull of Kingston, ON; Donald Coull (Marilyn), Sara Coull, Joan Duke, all from Alberta as well as Norman (Gerda) Coull of Winnipeg, MB and Elizabeth (Marcel) Desjean, Lachine, QC, and many grand nieces and nephews across Canada.

Besides her husband Walter, Florence was pre-deceased by her brothers, Donald Coull (WWII casualty), Alexander Coull, and Norman Coull Sr., and his wife, Elizabeth. Also by step-sons, Bruce Havill Sr., Stanley Havill and step-grandson, Dean Havill; step-daughters-in-law, Jean Havill and Beth Havill; step-son-in-law, Bill Leadbeater and nephew-in-law, Don Duke.

At Florence’s request there will be no visitation. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace Chapel, 255 Ross Street, Halifax, NS, on Saturday, May 7th at 11:00 am, Pastor Mark Harris officiating. Reception to follow and interment in Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

Special thanks to all medical personnel of the Emergency Department, Abbie Lane, the 9th floor Geriatrics, and the Infirmary 8.3.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Gideon Bibles or Grace Chapel would be greatly appreciated by the family.