Florence Patricia Giles (nee Olsen) March 10, 1927 – August 10, 2016
Florence passed away peacefully with her loving and awesome children at her side. She was predeceased by her husband William David Giles (Bill) and her first born daughter Barbara Gail Thompson and Mom’s only sister Alice Richardson. Florence is survived by her children: Doug (the favorite son) Giles (Dawn) Vancouver, BC, Dawn Brown (Dave) Medicine Hat, AB, Melody Weiers, Prince George, BC, Valerie Kovacs (Bob), Dryden, Susan Paquette (Ed), Dryden and Penny McMillan, Ottawa, brothers: Arnold & Larry Olsen, by 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and outlaws. Also by Flo’s special people: Vi Stansfield, Carol Cool, Tootles, Clayton, Devon and Rob McMillan. Florence was born in Dryden and was educated there, she spent her early years working at Wabigoon Drugs spending all her extra money on clothes and shoes. She moved to the Boarding House on Kirkpatrick Street in 1943 where she was the ‘Fashion Diva’, giving advice to friends both male and female, maybe tying the occasional tie for a Gent. Her room-mates were Vi Stansfield and Betty Findlay. It was a one room kitchenette where they slept three to a bed, the last person home got the middle which was not desirable. Florence met her Bill at a dance in Waldhof and married him in 1946 and soon started a family. Their travels took them to Eagle River, Ignace and back to Dryden in 1966. Florence was a stay-at-home mom and cook extraordinaire who could make bologna taste like a gourmet meal. Her hands were never idle, as she was constantly knitting, sewing and mending. Florence, Bill and their children spent all their free time in a boat fishing (babies napping in the bow), shore lunching or at their island retreat on Wabigoon Lake. Florence spent her later years traveling with Bill and enjoying her children and grandchildren. After Bill’s passing Florence resided at Patricia Gardens and then Princess Court. Mom’s favorite things include, good coffee (she didn’t think much of the coffee at Princess Court), peanut brittle, pickerel, purple nail polish, perfume (good stuff and lots of it), wildflowers, shrimp and wrinkle cream (not the cheap stuff either). Cremation has taken place and a private interment of ashes will be held at a later date. If friends desire donations may be made to a charity of your choice through the Stevens Funeral Homes P.O. Box 412, Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca The family would like to thank everyone at Patricia Gardens and Princess Court for taking such good care of our mother. A special thank you to the nurses, doctors and support staff at Dryden Hospital for the exceptional care and compassion Mom received.