Florence Yvonne Diehl (Nee Verreault)

Mrs. Florence Diehl, of Calgary, Alberta passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the age of 104 years.

Florence was born on August 2, 1916 in Marcelin, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her husband Larry in 1977, four brothers and ten sisters.

Florence is survived by her sister-in-law Rose and her husband Clair Boorse of Edmonton, Alberta, brother-in-law George Marquis of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and numerous relatives and friends.

How do you sum up 104 years and 5 months of life in a few short paragraphs?  It is a lifetime of memories and accomplishments.  She had a wonderful life and managed to hold on to a spirit and independence that lasted her a century plus.  Aunty Flo would like to let us know that her work here on earth is done.  She received a call from God on January 7, 2021; a sort of offer you can’t refuse for an appointment from which she will not be returning.  This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time.  Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place called heaven where she will be socializing, dancing, gardening and cooking to her heart’s content.  Music, laughter and love are guaranteed.  Food is delicious and you never gain weight.  But most of all, she is now in the presence of God and of her loved ones who have gone before her.  She left detailed instructions for us, her family and friends to celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed.

Florence Verreault was born on August 2, 1916 to Paul Verreault and Clara (nee Watier) Verreault.  Over the course of years, she would come to know and love 14 siblings: Raoul (Susannah Neubuhr), Joseph (Martha Parenteau), Florina (Louis Nicholas), Bertha (who died in infancy), Rosanna (Arsene Fiolleau), Aldina (who died in infancy from the Spanish Flu in 1918), Amanda (Marcel La Prairie), Marie-Ange aka Marion (Raymond La Prairie and Gordon Gall), Wilfrid (who died in infancy), Evelyn (Louis La Riviere), Julienne (George Martin), Therese (Pierre aka Pete Fiolleau), Leon and Eva (Earle Pompu) and numerous nieces and nephews.  Florence was the last surviving member of her immediate family of 15 children.

On April 29, 1940 she married Lawrence Diehl at St. Anne Parish church in Titanic, Saskatchewan.  She used to joke and say “We got married in 1940 and then the war started!” Florence quickly became a very cherished and loved member of the Diehl family.  She always spoke so highly of her in-laws.  Florence is survived by her sister in law Rose (Diehl) and husband Clair Boorse of Edmonton and brother in law George Marquis of Saskatoon and many nieces and nephews.

In 1946, Flo and Lawrence decided to make a major life change and move to Calgary Alberta to secure employment.  One of Flo’s first jobs was to put butter boxes together.  Both Larry and Flo worked in a cafe washing dishes till they could get established.  Lawrence was able to secure employment with the City of Calgary as a dispatcher and worked for the city for over 30 years.  Later Flo worked as a cook at the York Hotel and Restaurant for 10 years, then at the Westgate Hotel and Restaurant for 15 years.  She was known for her delicious coleslaw and steaks.  As we all knew, Uncle Larry was a prankster and Flo used to tell us stories of his antics.  They loved camping and fishing together and spent many holidays with the Diehl family at the lake.  Larry died on March 31, 1977 at the young age of 58.  The following years after Larry’s death were lonely and difficult years for Flo as she mourned the loss of her husband.  After his passing, Flo retired and spent time caring for her home and yard. Shortly after Grandma Verreault’s passing in 1977, Aunty Flo took her brother Leon under her wing as he moved to Calgary to live with her.  He had been his mother’s caregiver for many years.  Flo and Leon were good for each other and kept each other company.  They enjoyed going to Bingo with friends, and a regular ritual was coffee at McDonald’s each morning.

Aunty Flo died a loved woman.  She had a big heart for family and friends.  She was a person of integrity.  Her faith was important to her as she was an active parishioner of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic parish, just a few steps from her home.  Although she always spoke her mind, she was always a kind and welcoming person.  She worked hard and she played hard.  Flo was proud to say that she had participated in at least 50 Calgary Stampedes and travelled to eastern Canada, Florida, Hawaii only to name a few places.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Flo especially her family and friends, her yard, her flowers and her vegetable garden.  We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Aunty Flo during her 104+ years. Among them: enjoy a cold beer with your Chinese food and never ride on a “Crazy Carpet” after the age of 50.

Florence was born, she blinked and it was over.  No buildings named after her, no monuments erected in her honour.  But she DID have the chance to know and love each and every friend as well as all her family members, even if we lived far away.  How much more blessed can a person be?  She will be remembered for her big heart and her welcoming hospitality.  She was a young child when the Spanish Flu pandemic ravaged the world in 1918 and she died on January 7, 2021 as a result of having been diagnosed with a virus from the 21st century pandemic, Covid-19.

So, in the end remember: do your best, follow your arrow and make something amazing out of your life.  Oh, and never stop smiling.

(Words of reflection put together by Reverend Father Maurice Fiolleau.  Florence’s nephew officiating the Funeral Mass)

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Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1525-45 Street S.E., Calgary, Alberta with Reverend Father Maurice Fiolleau as celebrant. Cremation has taken place and she will be laid to rest with her husband in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Calgary.