Florence Olsheski

OLSHESKI, Florence Chippior (1924 -2011) On June 12, 2011, Florence Chippior Olsheski, passed peacefully away, one week before her 87th birthday. Florence was born and grew up in Wilno, the oldest Polish settlement in Canada, and spent her adulthood in Barry's Bay and Nepean, and her senior years at Harmer House. Florence was the embodiment of the Kashub spirit and the proud bearer of her heritage. She had great energy, a passionate sense for adventure and was fiercely independent. With unquestioning dedication she raised a family of eight children, was an active community member and participated in the Catholic Women's League. All her life she was a hard worker and never complained. She was a nurse, worked in retail, gardened, cleaned, cooked, knitted, sewed and constantly pushed her children to educational opportunity. Florence was the artist of the family who at various times throughout her life sang and played the organ and painted, and left many precious paintings which are cherished. But it was her sense of adventure which defined her. She was one of her generation of women to obtain her driver's license which she held until her 85th year. She cross country skied, played broomball and walked everyday of her life. She travelled the world visiting Europe, Poland, Russia, vacationed in Florida, the Caribbean, Barbados and spent her retirement travelling in a motorhome throughout Canada and the United States. Her most memorable adventure was driving the motorhome on the narrow, steep mountain highway to Alaska to visit the North Pole. Florence was a humble, modest woman who appreciated her friends and family and they appreciated her back. She had a kind word about everybody and everybody had a kind word about her. She will be deeply missed and remain forever in the hearts of her children Donald, Gail, Edgar, Connie, Wayne, Mervin, Cynthia, Michelle, her grandchildren Alexi, Martina, Carson, Kirsten, Bradly, Barret, Elliott, Joseph, Kasia, Daphne, and her sisters Rose, Agnes, Eleanor, Genevieve, Theresa, Sally and Esther. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church, Bell`s Corners, on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 1pm. Inurnment Pinecrest Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.colefuneralservices.com .