STERN: In Loving Memory of Florence "Flo" Stern (nee Denton). It is with heavy hearts that Flo's family announces her unexpected passing on Thursday, September 11, 2014, in her 87th year at Port Alberni, BC. Flo was predeceased by her husband Ray in 1992, her five brothers, Joseph, Fred, Bruce, Herbert, Lawrence and her sister Alice. She is survived by her loving partner "Jack" Sydney John Seymour and his family; her son Dwayne (Kerry), their children, Kristy, Jilian, Jodi (Morgan) and Kyle, her daughters, Raylene (Rick) McCully, their children, Jessie and Bailey and Tamie (Mark) Macey, and their children, Crystal (John), Jordan (Kayla), Allan, Tyler (Joey), Derek, Taylor and Dustin. As well as great-grandchildren, Corey, Gracyn, Ben, Fisher, Rylan, River, Connor and two more on the way. Flo, and her twin brother Lawrence, were born into a farming family on July 17, 1927 in Battleford, SK, to Evison and Johanna Denton. She attended Red Pheasant (Bjelde Creek) School, leaving after the eighth grade, to help on the family farm. Travelling by train to British Columbia in the late 40's, Flo, with her two girlfriends, first stopped to pick berries in the Mt. Lehman area before proceeding to Port Alberni. In 1948 she started at the new Woodward's store in the grocery department, making many lifelong friends. After marrying Ray in 1950, she stayed with Woodward's until 1955, leaving to start her new career as mother and housewife, a role she cherished always. Her home was always open to neighbours, friends and family, beginning with Ray on Melrose Street, continuing on 11th Avenue, and the finally with Jack on Burde Street. Flo was considered a "second mother" to many - neighbours, relatives and friends of her own children - who came into her life. "Flo will be greatly missed and forever loved by her family and friends". In lieu of flowers, donations in Flo's memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, #401 - 495 Dunsmuir St., Nanaimo, BC V9R 6B9.
