Obituary of Florence Gertrude Cecilia Saunders

November 22, 1934 - Calgary, Alberta

April 6, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Florence Gertrude Cecilia Saunders, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the age of 87 years.

Florence is survived by her husband and best friend Bert, her children, Rosalyn Rosenthal (Leo), Theresa Schwartz (Mark), Greg Saunders (Allison), Michelle Hagstrom (Kelly), Frances Hagel (Lyle), and Susan Saunders (Alan). Florence loved her grandchildren, Patrice, Shannon (Daryl), Tanya (Chance), Rick (Kathryn), Lauren (Tim), Leanne (Charles), Cody, Chantel (Derek), Madison (Ashley), Colton (Holly), Brittany (Andrew), Alissa (Evan), Amanda (Garrett), and Riley. Florence adored her great-grandchildren, Rylan, Mason, Nathan, Gabriel, Paytin, Lincoln, Wyatt, Rome, Kinsley, Orin, and Miles.

Michael and Rose Harrigan welcomed their eleventh child Florence on November 22, 1934. Florence was raised on the family farm in Shepard and attended the Shepard School and later attended St. Mary’s Girls School in Calgary. Florence attended Henderson’s Business School and worked at Birks Jewellers, later working for Crown Trust until her marriage in 1957. Years later Florence re-entered the working world and worked at Springbank School in the administration office.

In 1974 Bert and Florence ventured out and purchased their first grocery store in Beiseker, and later moved to High River, Rockyford, and eventually made it full circle back to Beiseker. Florence loved and treasured all the many friendships they made in their communities.

Bert and Florence were instrumental in the planning of St. Michael Church in the 1960s and their faith has always been a priority for themselves, their family, and their community.

Bert and Florence enjoyed their travel adventures to Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Florida, Paris, the many camping trips, and RV’ing as snowbirds later in Arizona.

Florence loved to golf, volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul, the Beiseker Museum Board, and bake for friends and family; there were always cookies, muffins, and pies to be made.

Florence was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Rose Harrigan, her sisters, Sr. Rosemary, Sr. Rita, Ellen, Theresa, and Madeline, brothers, Peter, Patrick, John, and Jim, brothers-in-law, Bill and George, and son-in-law Roy. She is survived by her brother Michael (Gay), and sisters-in-law, Marion and Phyllis.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Community (800 – 85th Street S.W.) on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Saunders service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB  T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955.8818. www.childrenshospital.ab.ca, or to the   If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Florence Saunders, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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