Obituary for Flora Lemay (Ionel)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Flora, who in the presence of loved ones, left us peacefully on January 17th , 2024 at the age of 88 years.
Born on the family farm south of Ormiston, Saskatchewan on April 20th, ‘Floria’ was the youngest child of Ispas and Maranda Ionel. Growing up in a rural setting with a large family, taught her the importance of working hard and playing hard, so it was with that attitude she began her independent life in the ‘big’ city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1954.
Employment followed most notably with Canaday’s Apparel Ltd., which is where she met her first husband, Henry Beitel. After a number of years, they relocated to Regina where she became a full-time mother to her son, Gerry, and daughter, Sherry. Even with two young children, the household was always kept as neat as a pin, with many family and friends gathering for good times and good cooking.
Moving west to Calgary in 1967, ‘Big Bird’, as she was affectionately known to her kids, returned to work outside the home for the next 30 years primarily in retail sales. After her divorce in the mid 1980’s, she later met and married Lewis LeMay in 1995.
Their retirement years were spent in Calgary, Cochrane and finally Medicine Hat where vacations, homemaking, socializing, card playing and watching the ‘Young and the Restless’ occupied her time.
As Flora was the last of her family to arrive, she was also the last to leave being predeceased by her parents, five brothers and four sisters. She leaves to mourn her husband, Lewis; son, Gerry (Glenda); daughter, Sherry (Sven); Lewis’ sons, Darwin and Kevin (Mary Kathryn), brother-in-law, Walter Hjelte, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
At her request there will be no formal funeral service. A graveside service and interment will take place in Moose Jaw at a later date.
Many thanks to Flora’s family physician (Dr. Scholtz), home care nurse (Michelle), palliative care nurse (Darlene), the compassionate and caring staff at St. Joseph’s Home-Carmel Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1 or Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.
We would also like to thank Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel of Medicine Hat and especially, funeral director (Dallas) who’s kindness and professionalism guided us along this journey.
Born on the family farm south of Ormiston, Saskatchewan on April 20th, ‘Floria’ was the youngest child of Ispas and Maranda Ionel. Growing up in a rural setting with a large family, taught her the importance of working hard and playing hard, so it was with that attitude she began her independent life in the ‘big’ city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1954.
Employment followed most notably with Canaday’s Apparel Ltd., which is where she met her first husband, Henry Beitel. After a number of years, they relocated to Regina where she became a full-time mother to her son, Gerry, and daughter, Sherry. Even with two young children, the household was always kept as neat as a pin, with many family and friends gathering for good times and good cooking.
Moving west to Calgary in 1967, ‘Big Bird’, as she was affectionately known to her kids, returned to work outside the home for the next 30 years primarily in retail sales. After her divorce in the mid 1980’s, she later met and married Lewis LeMay in 1995.
Their retirement years were spent in Calgary, Cochrane and finally Medicine Hat where vacations, homemaking, socializing, card playing and watching the ‘Young and the Restless’ occupied her time.
As Flora was the last of her family to arrive, she was also the last to leave being predeceased by her parents, five brothers and four sisters. She leaves to mourn her husband, Lewis; son, Gerry (Glenda); daughter, Sherry (Sven); Lewis’ sons, Darwin and Kevin (Mary Kathryn), brother-in-law, Walter Hjelte, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
At her request there will be no formal funeral service. A graveside service and interment will take place in Moose Jaw at a later date.
Many thanks to Flora’s family physician (Dr. Scholtz), home care nurse (Michelle), palliative care nurse (Darlene), the compassionate and caring staff at St. Joseph’s Home-Carmel Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1 or Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.
We would also like to thank Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel of Medicine Hat and especially, funeral director (Dallas) who’s kindness and professionalism guided us along this journey.