Florence “Flo” Heavenor (née Gaganoff) passed away peacefully in the company of family and friends on the evening of January 6, 2024, at the age of 95.
Flo was born to John and Mary Gaganoff at St. Luke’s Hospital in Powell River on June 25, 1928. She had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Mowat Bay neighbourhood in what was then the Village of Cranberry, forming lifelong friendships along the way.
Flo blossomed into womanhood during the war years. Her work life began at Bosa Mitchell’s in 1944.
In 1947, Flo met George “Pud” Heavenor, the love of her life. They married in 1948. Following the tradition of the day, after the birth of her first child, she became a full-time mother and professional homemaker. Flo took particular pride in her homemaker role, excelling in cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, knitting and craftwork. She was an active member in her community with longtime involvement with the Lodge (Ladies of the Royal Purple), Westview Women’s Sewing Circle, Women’s Auxiliary of St. David Anglican Church, and Powell River Lawn Bowling Club. She was also a proud 25-year member of the “Walk the Track” Club.
In 1977, Flo returned to the workforce as a home-care aid and spent a satisfying 16 years providing highly personalized care to community seniors, many whom she knew from her days growing up in Cranberry. Flo provided a level of care that extended the number of years seniors could live independently in their own homes.
Following her retirement in 1993, Flo did not slow down, continuing her commitment to caregiving by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and other community care functions. She was always quietly generous to those in need. Flo stayed active and fit into her nineties. She lived independently in her family home on Huntingdon Street, built by herself and Pud in 1955. Flo achieved her dream of living out her life in the family home.
“Flo’s was a life well-lived on her terms.”
Flo was predeceased by her sister Olive, her husband George (Pud), her brother Sid and her lifelong special friend Betty Clydsdale (née Donkersly). She is lovingly remembered by her four children Jack (Anne), Debbie (Brian), Rod (Pam) and Lisa (Hubert), and much-loved by her five grandchildren Liza, Brandi, Daniel, Patrick and Sophie, as well as her three great-grandchildren Elias, Esme and Estelle, and nephew Bill Blacklock. Flo is also survived by her brother Wes Fraser (Gaganoff) and special, much-loved sister-in-law Betty Fraser.
Our family would like to thank all the first responders and all the staff at qathet General Hospital who provided such wonderful care to Flo throughout her last two days with us.
A celebration of life will be held at Cranberry Seniors Centre at 1:30 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Powell River Salvation Army (Flo’s favourite charity) would be appreciated.
