Obituary of PICKERING – Florence Magdalena

March 5, 1921 – February 14, 2011 Florence (Flo) Magdalena Pickering of Calgary passed away peacefully early in the morning on Monday, February 14, 2011 at the age of 89 years. She will be lovingly remembered by friends and family for her independent spirit, gentle soul and loving nature. She embraced life and delighted in people. As the eldest of six, she was devoted to her parents, Frank and Hazel Beingessner; and her brothers, Elmer, Harold (Dori), Jim and Bob, all who predeceased her. She treasured her sister Dorothy, her brother-in-law John and sisters-in-law Marg and Arlene and their times together. She was a loving mother to her daughter Carol and son-in-law Wes, and doting aunt to eleven nieces and nephews and their families. She enjoyed nothing more than gatherings of immediate and extended family and friends. With her ever present camera she was determined to chronicle the history of the clan. Flo was born in Champion, AB and spent her early years in that area. She started her working life as a civilian clerk with the military and then worked at the High River Times. She lived and worked for most of her life in Calgary and had a successful career in the oil industry. She worked for a number of firms as a bookkeeper, retiring from Norcen in 1986. She was a proud member of the Desk & Derrick Club, even into retirement, and was an active member of the NorSeniors. In retirement she continued to find opportunities to meet and work with new people by being the secretary of the Calgary Ski Club for a number of years and trying her hand at a variety of home based sales including Mary Kay. Through these activities she developed a large network of friends and acquaintances. She never turned down an invitation to visit and socialize. She was a master of balancing work and play and people were her priority. She was an accomplished knitter and sewer and an enthusiastic, seasoned traveler. Sea cruising was her ideal form of travel, combining her love for travel, fashion and her passion for music and dance. Dance was such a significant part of her life. She taught Ballroom and Latin dance through the CBE Leisure Learning Program and spent a number of happy summer vacations in Montana at dance camp. She was a long standing member of the Swinging Singles Square Dance Club and various other groups. Any music got her toes tapping and her feet itching to hit the dance floor. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W.) on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W.) on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Highwood Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 – 58th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. The family would like to thank the staff of Unit 62 at the Foothills Hospital and the Woodlands Unit at Beverly Centre – Glenmore for their kind and gentle care during the last two months of her life. In living memory of Florence Pickering, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.