Obituary for ~

Florence (Manson) Jones

Saturday October 9, 2004, The Halifax Herald Limited:

JONES, Florence - 1913 - 2004.
It is with the deepest of sadness that we announce the passing
of Florence Winnifred Jones in Northwood Centre, Halifax,
in her 92nd year. Flo was born in Boylston, Guysborough Co.,
the only daughter of the late J.T. Anderson, merchant,
and Sarah Alice Simpson, nurse.
Upon graduating from Nova Scotia Teacher's College,
Flo began an interesting and varied teaching career,
which took her to many rural areas in Nova Scotia.
Later she served as principal at both the Greenwood District Elementary School
and the LE Shaw School in the Annapolis Valley.
She was proud to be an educator and her approach was
considered disciplined, fair, firm and forward-looking.
At the time of her first marriage, she settled in Sherbrooke
where she and Mac raised their three Manson children.
Courageously she faced many challenges in her lifetime,
complained of nothing and remained fiercely independent and determined.
In addition to a long and successful teaching career,
Flo continued her own education at St. Francis Xavier University
and later Acadia University obtaining a B.A. and her B.Ed. with multiple other certificates.
She relished her years at university,
appreciated her younger classmates and gained their respect.
Upon her retirement she returned to make her home in Sherbrooke.
Throughout her adult life she was a devoted member of
St. James Presbyterian Church, the church choir, Ladies Aid, Eastern Star Lodge,
Rebecca Lodge, Women's Institute, Nova Scotia Teacher's Union
and was an honorary member of the Canadian Legion.
Flo enjoyed many travels, involved herself in a wide range
of senior groups and community affairs and was always keen
for a game of Scrabble. In her early childhood days,
she developed a fascination for frogs.
Flo became a collector of frogs and was sometimes lovingly known
as "The Frog Lady". Her collection became massive,
interesting and represented a lifelong passion.
She always appreciated the contributions her family and friends
made to her oversized collection. There could never be
one frog too many. For the past four years
Flo had made her home of choice the Northwood Centre in Halifax.
There, the compassionate staff and volunteers surrounded her with new friendships,
new challenges and an acceptance of her declining years.
Recently she was able to attend the services marking the 150/200th
anniversary of St. James Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke
where it is believed that Flo was the eldest member of that congregation
at that time. A week later she became acutely ill
and the Sunday following that she passed away peacefully
surrounded by her family and friends. Left to mourn her loss
are her loving daughter, Natalie Jones, Montreal; beloved son, Francis
and his wife Bonnie, Dartmouth; cherished daughter, Winnifred
and husband Bert Campbell, Greenwood, and her only cousin, Marjorie (Don) Barteaux, Dartmouth.
Nana Flo was the caring grandmother to eight grandchildren,
Brad, Kevin (Kate Ellis) and Victoria Jones, Ian and Michael Manson, Tim, Steven and Beth Campbell.
Three stepchildren, Elizabeth (Hans) Jansen, Rev. Elaine MacInnis
and Dr. Edmund MacInnis also survive her.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Mac Manson (Sherbrooke);
second husband, Edmund MacInnis (Glenelg);
third husband, Harold Jones (Canning);
son-in-law, David Jones (Montreal);
half-brothers, John and Bert; half-sisters, Gertrude and Lois.
Visitation will be Monday, October 11, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
in G.W. Giffin Funeral Home, St. Mary's Chapel, Sherbrooke.
A service will be held in celebration of Flo's life
in Saint James Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke, on Tuesday, October 12,
at 2 p.m. with Rev. Calvin Crichton officiating.
Burial in Riverside Cemetery.
Please join the family for a reception in the church basement
immediately following burial. The family of Flo
would like to thank the dedicated staff on 9 Manor and 6 Center, Northwood
for their kind and loving care and for bringing special dignity
to her last few days. Special thanks to Rev. Jim,
who conducted a tribute to Flo at Northwood at the time of her passing.
We also greatly appreciate our community of friends
who shared in Flo's life and in our loss.
Family flowers only. Donations to Saint James Presbyterian Church,
Sherbrooke, Guysborough Co., NS, B0P 3C0 would be graciously appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care
of G.W. Giffin Funeral Homes Ltd., Sherbrooke. On-line condolences may be sent to giffins@ns.sympatico.ca