Florence Irene Rosina McKee
Obituary for Florence Irene Rosina McKee (nee Towe)
December 8, 1933 – July 2, 2025
Florence was born in Vancouver to Bill and Dorothy Towe. After a few years, her beloved brother Bill went to live with their maternal grandparents, and at age 7, Florence was placed in foster care. She was uninterested in academics and left school at age 15. She loved to run and ride horses. She played the outfield in Baseball, and was nicknamed “Home Run Towe’.
She went through a succession of jobs - working in a laundry, being a switchboard operator, power sewing, waitressing up North, and working in a bakery. She loved the bakery as she could sing to her heart’s content. She would study any job she undertook to see if it was possible to streamline it. When a job wasn’t interesting she would set herself goals to reduce the boredom. She took a bookkeeping course, and at its conclusion, was asked to teach the course. She had a strong work ethic that enabled her to excel at her jobs.
Her greatest goal in life was to have a family and a home. She dated 18 JIMS in a row, marrying the first and the last. She realized quickly that her first marriage was a mistake and moved from Edmonton back to Vancouver. She saved diligently and almost had a down payment for a home when she met her last Jim. They were married for 56 years (his death).
She was the ultimate do-it-yourselfer. She taught herself to crochet, knit, upholster, garden, as well as preserve and make jam – just not pickles! She didn’t hesitate to paint, or refinish furniture. She could change a plug, and bought a kit to build her own lamps. To earn a little extra money she sold hand-made candles and egg-art.
She enjoyed playing cards, charades, RVing, and just talking with friends. A true homebody her hobbies included ceramics, plaster craft, making soft people out of nylons, and crocheting elaborate gowns for dolls. She played solitaire and did crossword puzzles daily. After retiring she became an avid reader and book collector. She and Jim loved to prowl garage and estate sales.
She was a great listener, and a calm, effective person in an emergency. Her children could be sure to be embarrassed by her loud cheering and support. When she was in her twenties she went to see a fortune teller and was told that she would live to be 80. She did, and then some. In her later years she suffered from dementia. This cruel and destructive disease flung her into the darkness of her childhood. It took the brightness from her eyes and silenced her laughter.
She is survived by her three children – Laria, Ken and Les, brother Ian and wife Linda, as well as niece Susan and family in Canada; as well as many nieces and nephews in Ireland.
Mom, we thank you for your guidance and laughter, but most of all your love. Miss you!
Condolence Messages
