Florence was born Oct 27, 1928 in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. She was the eldest of 8 children born to Abram and Maria Warkentin. In 1944 her family moved to Abbotsford, BC, where she completed her high school education at M.E.I. Florence married Alvin Nickel in 1951 and they raised their family of 5 children in Chilliwack. In 1972, she started working in the Chilliwack General Hospital's Administration Office.
During her twenty-year career, she held a variety of positions including ones in Admissions and Accounts Payable. She loved her work, and maintained close friendships with numerous coworkers after her retirement at age 63. She always looked forward to being with her weekly Wednesday lunch group.
Florence’s final home was at the Birchwood Residence in Chilliwack where she re-connected with old friends and made many new ones. She loved chatting at the Bistro over coffee, playing games of scrabble and bingo and digging into her family history. One of the highlights of her time there was a private plane flight to see her beloved Mount Cheam. It was a bucket list dream that was set in motion by the Birchwood staff.
Florence will be sadly missed by her sons Robin and Lynn (wife Elaine) of Chilliwack; her daughters, Diane Nickel of Calgary and Dalyce Holman (husband Murray) of Middle Musquodoboit, NS.; her daughter-in-law Helen Nickel of Chilliwack; her 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and her surviving siblings: sisters Phyllis Peters and Dorothy Johnston and brother Alfred Warkentin. She was predeceased by her husband Alvin in 1997 and by her son Stanley in 2019.
The family extends their thanks to the staff at the Birchwood and to her doctors, especially Dr. Melanie Madill who took such wonderful care of her.
Due to the restrictions brought about by Covid-19, a service has not yet been planned. In her memory donations can be made to the Salvation Army.
DONATIONS
The Salvation Army46420 Brooks Ave, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1C5
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