2017
Obituary Overview
Lovingly Remembered
Florence Hill MELANSON (nee BUTT) passed away peacefully on October 28th, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 93. She was the beloved wife of her husband Louie M. MELANSON who predeceased her on October 15th, 1975 in Montreal , Quebec. She is survived by their 6 children Peter (Diane) Airdrie, AB, twins Daniel (Maria) of Burnaby, BC and Donald of Calgary, AB, Kimberley of Calgary, AB, Michael (Dianne) of Calgary, AB and Marc (Yaz)of Mexico City, Mexico. Florence enjoyed her much loved grandchildren including Jolene, Marc, Tracey, Natalie, Kyle, Nathan, Emily, Verena and Erik as well as the “Group of Seven” great grandchildren Ava, Kylie, Brody, Vivianne, Ethan, Owen and Derek. All of them were the highlight of her life and she was always interested in absolutely everything they did. She has numerous nieces & nephews & others that she loved dearly. Florence was the daughter of Henry & Annabel (nee FORD) BUTT and was born in Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland eventually residing with her family of 6 in Pasadena, Newfoundland where she grew up as the daughter of the local school principle. She is the last surviving member of her brothers & sisters Joe, Sadie, Ruth, Reg and Jack all from that era. In the late 1940’s she ended up moving to Halifax Nova Scotia where she worked as a floor supervisor for Zellers. During that time frame, she met her husband, a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) career sailor Chief Petty Officer Louis (Louie) M. MELANSON who was a stoker on destroyers. They married on October 22nd 1949 in Weymouth Nova Scotia. They took up residence at the family home in Weymouth also known as the Weymouth Inn, a local boarding house. While he was at sea, Florence gave birth to twin boys Don & Dan, brothers for their oldest son Peter while he was away. Upon his return, 3 more children Kim, Mike & Marc joined the clan. In 1963, with Louie having retired from the RCN after 20 years of service in 1959, a family decision was made to move to Montreal Quebec. After Louie went in advance & obtained certification & employment as a Stationary Engineer along with a 5.5 room apartment to replace the 18 room boarding house, Florence packed up the 6 children & drove them in their 1958 Pontiac to Montreal via Yarmouth & a ferry to Bar Harbor Maine when they were met by Louie. The drive & the move to Ville St. Laurent in Montreal were completed. Florence stayed at home taking care of the family as always. When the children were all in school and then worked at various locations at convenience stores and she became the cafeteria manager at Parkway Pontiac in Pointe Clare Quebec after the family moved to a house in Dorval Quebec in 1968. After Louie passed away in 1975, the grandchildren started arriving in western Canada and Florence decided it was time to ensure they were well taken care of by an experienced mother of six. So in 1987, she packed up & moved closer to the grandkids ending up in Calgary, AB living at first with son Don & eventually in her own condo in south Calgary for many years. Children Kim & Don lived in the same complex along with Mike & Diane nearby & kept her taken care of and visited on almost daily routines. The other children as well as nieces, nephews & friends from all over Canada saw her there as well on many occasions. Her many trips to visit her MELANSON families in Burnaby BC & Mexico City as well as close family friends the KILLAMs in Florida were much enjoyed. She enjoyed knitting & crochet all her life & was actively involved with the Calgary Newcomers Club for years. She hosted & participated in many card games, trivial pursuit & get together with her friends. Eventually the ability to live alone diminished with her age and she moved in to a senior assisted seniors living environment in Calgary at Monterey Place & then as her health deteriorated further to the Shaughnessy Wing at AgeCare Midnapore where she resided at the time of her passing. The family would like to thank everyone involved in her care over the years including Doctors, nurses and health care workers in the facilities for all they did for Florence over the years. It is very much appreciated by all so much.
A Celebration of Florence’s Life will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home (Prairie View Chapel), 1605 – 100 Street SE, Calgary on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Florence’s memory may be made directly to the Canadian Dementia Action Network , cdan.ca/getinvolved.html or the charity of your choice.
The family wish to thank everyone who was involved in Florence MELANSON’s long life and for all those who have given or offered support, it is very much appreciated. Florence touched the lives of many people in many ways & we all have a place in our hearts where she remains as the vibrant & life experienced person that she was. A fact of life we all die but the positive impact you have on others will be her living legacy. To express condolences, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Florence Hill Melanson (nee Butt – 2017.source
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta
death notice Florence Hill Melanson (nee Butt – 2017- mortuary notice Florence Hill Melanson (nee Butt – 2017