Obituary of Florence Alice Godfrey

January 30, 1937 – Miami, Manitoba

June 6, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Florence was born near the end of the Great Depression and grew up on a farm in rural Manitoba, with her parents - Allie and Alice, her sister Margaret, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. After High School she went to Winnipeg to attend Normal School, with the dream of becoming a teacher. It was in Winnipeg that she met Tom, a young engineer, who proved to be the love of her life. They married in August 1957 and she taught school in the Winnipeg area for two years until she and Tom started their family. In 1965 they moved to Calgary with their two children, where the family soon grew to four children: Tam, Jo-Ann, Ian and Coral. Tom and Florence raised them with love, support and opportunity. When they grew up Florence was blessed with ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Her special relationship with the grandchildren started early. As youngsters they would all stay at the cabin in Radium each summer with Grandma and Grandpa. One of them wrote “We would descend on the kitchen with appetites earned by collecting lost golf balls and running in the sprinkler. She could always whip up a meal from their abundant garden. She had a way of making work fun that would have us helping in the garden for hours on end – picking raspberries and weeding carrots. Small fingers work best for these tasks, she'd say.”

Grandma Florence was great at keeping in touch with all the grandchildren over the years, as they made their way in the world. Reflecting on her life through these last challenging months, she repeatedly said how proud she was of her family and of all they have accomplished.

Florence was always involved in the community, remaining a curious, friendly, outgoing and engaged woman her whole life through. She was an active member of North Haven community in Calgary: leading Brownies, Guides and serving on numerous committees. “Ladies Morning Out” was another North Haven group that benefited from her enthusiasm.

Her mother, Alice, passed on a love of creating with her hands and Florence had a knack for making something out of nothing. Her scrap quilting was legendary! She often spoke of how under-celebrated such arts have become and she worked hard at keeping these traditional art forms alive.

Florence was a devoted member of the Alberta Handicraft Guild for decades and a founding member of the Stitchin' Witches. She spoke appreciatively of the benefits these groups brought into her life. She lived the shared values of community, altruism and creativity. The groups she was part of donated quilts to hospitals, hospices, care centres and charities. She volunteered her time running the Quilt Conference when it was in Calgary, the Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park, and many more events and initiatives. Her eyes would light up if you asked her about quilting, and she was ever-ready to teach anyone who asked. She even traveled to Slave Lake after its big fire, to teach a workshop to local quilters.

Anyone who has spoken with her can attest that she made people feel at ease and could even have strangers talking as easily as old friends. She genuinely cared about people and always had time for a hello and a quick chat. She had a ready laugh that fairly burst out of her, and a smile for everyone.

She will be remembered, admired and missed by many for years to come.

Besides her loving husband Tom, Florence is survived by her two sons and two daughters-in-law; Tam Godfrey, (Wendy Passmore-Godfrey), Calgary, AB, Ian (Bev) Godfrey, Calgary, AB; two daughters and two sons-in-law Jo-Ann (Rob) Manning, Assineau, AB, and Coral (Doug) Kuhn, Calgary, AB; ten grandchildren, Tyrel (Brandy) Hardy, Westlock, AB, Jolene Hardy, Lacombe, AB, Tucker Manning, Edmonton, AB, Ducati Manning, Slave Lake, AB, Kate Godfrey, Calgary, AB, Emily Godfrey, Calgary, AB, Jamie (Justin) Wendelboe, Calgary, AB, Kristen (Mitch) Welland,  Calgary, AB, Stephanie Seguin, Calgary, AB, Dawson Kuhn, Calgary, AB; and four great-grandchildren, Penny and Gwen Hardy, Westlock, AB, Jamieson Wendelboe, Calgary, AB, and Walker Welland, Calgary, AB. As well as her nieces, cousins, and numerous friends.

Florence was predeceased by her parents, Allie and Alice McTavish, Baldur, MB, sister, Margaret Forbes, Winnipeg, MB

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, (66-7^th St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 4B7) on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the church hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to a charity of your choice that supports the well-being of children, especially those who are disadvantaged.