Florence L. Halliday 11/04/1932-07/03/2014 Our beloved Florence Louise Pia Halliday, age 81, passed away peacefully, Thursday morning July 3rd at the home of her daughter, Debbie. With the help of her Guardian Angels, Flo left this earthly life into the arms of her heavenly father. She fought a gallant three month battle against stage 4 metastasized lung cancer. Each day began with the movie “You've Got Mail” that played over and over until the evening when it changed to the black and white movie "It Happened on Fifth Avenue”. Her favorite quote from that movie was "For to be without friends is a serious form of poverty”. Flo was a Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, day care provider, and a best friend. She was the perfect example of what love and giving of the heart meant. Her creative talents inspired all. She was genuinely one of a kind.
Florence was born in Salt Lake City and spent her early years in California. Santa Monica Beach was one of her best childhood memories. She would run to the beach and build her beautiful sandcastles. She felt safe and always held a special place in her heart for the Santa Monica pier. As a child and young adult, Mom sat for hours watching her Austrian Grandfather, Frank Pia, make beautiful European pastries and cakes. She loved and was devoted to him. With his patience, he taught her his unique craft. She shared her talent by making beautiful cakes, meringue mushrooms, sweet rolls, famous Flo rolls, and the unforgettable Nacogdoches.
In her teens Mom worked as an elevator girl at the department store Auerbach’s on State and Broadway where she met our father Thomas Halliday. They became dear friends with the original owners Fan and Leslie R. Samuels.
The Christmas season downtown was spectacular but Christmas’s at the Halliday home were like no other. A Christmas tree in every room, beautiful decorations, gingerbread houses, marshmallow castles, and the unforgettable smell of her home baked goodies. Her pink frosting melt in your mouth cookies were always the first to go.
Mom was a day care provider for over forty years right up until the day she was diagnosed with cancer. Children were her life. She gave them a safe and loving environment and cared for them as if they were her own.
The love of shopping and buying special gifts for others never stopped. TJ Maxx tradition will continue.
Florence is survived by all six of her children, Debbie Halliday Carey, Tom (Joyce) Halliday, Rick (Wendy) Halliday, Dana (Jana) Halliday, Susie Halliday Sarifan and Mike (Rhonda) Halliday, 14 Grand and 10 Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 14 2014, 12:00 noon, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Chapel. Friends and family may visit Sunday evening from 5 to 7 pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Chapel, 3401 S Highland Drive, SLC UT, 84106 and Monday from 10:45 am to 11:45 am.
In lieu of flowers, please plant a white blossom tree in Floie’s memory.
Arrangements under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.
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