Obituary of Flo "Florabell" Rose Purdy

Florabell “Flo” (nee: Simpson) Purdy was born on October 11/31 to Norbert and Marie Simpson. She was the third of five children. Flo was about 6 years old when due to an accident and she lost her left eye. She went to Ranger School until Grade 8 at which time she went to work for a neighbor. Flo and Harold were married on December 28, 1951 in Leoville. After their wedding they moved to Harold’s farm in the Barns Lake District. Both Mom and Dad worked their fingers to the bone. They raised 4 children, Donald in 1952, Eldon in 1955, Cheryl in 1957 and Tina in 1971. Unfortunately in April of 1981 Harold passed away due to cancer. Flo and Tina stayed on the farm for a year and then moved to Spiritwood. She enjoyed her time in Spiritwood, especially all the family meals we would have, which was quite often. In the later years of Flo’s life she had many health challenges, first a heart attack, then a stroke and then had to have her leg amputated just below the knee due to diabetes, because of all of this she spent her final years in the Herb Basset Home in Prince Albert. Who was Flo Purdy? She was a kind, caring and fun loving lady. She loved her family to no end. She loved to laugh. She was a lady involved in the Leoville Legion Aux., the Ranger Ladies Club, the Homemakers Club and she loved square dancing. If you showed up at her house no matter the time you never left hungry. Coffee, cake and cookies was always available. Mom was famous for a few things, she enjoyed Bingo, Crib, Hearts, and she made one hell of a Flapper Pie. She was the ultimate “Mama Bear” She was always there for all her kids, no matter the situation. We have all had our trying times, but Mom was always there, helping us, advising us or sometimes letting us struggle on our own, but still being there, just being Mom. It doesn’t matter how old you are when your Mother passes you still feel like you are 5 and lost in the park and all you want is your Mom to find you and give you a hug. Flo is lovingly remembered by: Her children: Donald (Viona) of Spiritwood, SK and their family: Thea (Gene) Zacharias and children: Chetwynn, Marshall, Waylynn & Keatynn, Thora (Kyle) Martodam and children: Chloe & Lydia, Thurston Purdy, Eldon (Celine) of Quesnel, BC, Cheryl (Keith) Forgrave of Shellbrook, SK and their family: Katrina Forgrave and her daughter, Tessa, Shaun (Kaelee) Forgrave and children: Parker & Piper, Tina (Darin) Stene of Shellbrook, SK and their family: Logan Stene and Kassandra Stene. Her siblings: Pearl Pearson of Fort St. John, BC, Lois Unterschute of Saskatoon, SK, Beth Morrison of Calgary, AB also numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Flo is predeceased by: her husband, Harold Purdy, parents, Albert and Marie Simpson, siblings, John, Manly, Nelson & Cay, granddaughter, Kelsie, brothers-in-law, Lawrence, Ronald, Edward Purdy, sisters-in-law, Doris Donald, Edna Jaworski, May Bowman and Margaret Purdy. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from the Spiritwood Civic Centre, Spiritwood, Saskatchewan with Delores Beaulac officiating. Pallbearers were Gene Zacharias, Logan Stene, Shaun Forgrave, Curtis Forgrave, Robin Turgeon and Blair Purdy. Following the services and luncheon Flo was laid to rest beside her husband Harold at the Ranger Cemetery. If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Florabell Purdy. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home, Mark Muir, Funeral Director, Spiritwood (306-883-3500).