With sad hearts, the family of Florence (Honey) Gillette announce her passing peacefully in her sleep at home with her husband near her side on Dec. 18, 2012. Mum was born in Bateman Sask, Jan 6, 1919 to Frank and Mary Forry, the second youngest of nine children.
The Forry family moved to Vernon in the late ‘30s and reacquainted with the Gillette family which led to a 4 year courtship resulting in her marriage to Harold on August 10th 1940.
Mum was predeceased by her mother, father, six sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Harold, children,
Bill (Carol), Marilyn (Lanny Balcaen), Gary (Arlene), Don (Heather), and Wendy (Gary Clarke). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews to which she was known as Aunt Honey.
Along with raising five children Mum spent 17 years teaching kindergarten at the United Church from the mid ‘50’s to the early ‘70’s. Mum’s joy was family, gardening, quilting, camping and their cabin at Mabel Lake. When Dad retired in 1979 their desire to travel eventually lead them to Apache Junction Az where they would spend the next 20 winters exploring and travelling as well as cruising in such places as Russia, the Holy Land, the Caribbean, and Alaska. They also travelled to Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the UK. In the early spring they would return to their summer home at Mabel Lake and enjoy the closeness of their family and many friends. For the past 14 years they have continued to spend as much time at Mabel Lake as weather and health would permit and overwintered at their daughter’s home here in Coldstream.
Special thanks to Dr. Van Zyl and the Community Health and Palliative Care nurses and staff who have attended her and made it possible for Mum to spend her last days at home where she wanted to be.
A funeral service will be held at the Trinity United Church on Alexis Park Dr. on Dec. 28th at 2:00pm. A tea and reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vernon Hospice House.
Arrangements are in the care of Vernon Funeral Home 250-542-0155.
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