Flora Dell, C.M., O.N.B., O.M., aged 102 passed away
peacefully on November 1, 2023 at the Grass Home.
Loving wife of 52 years of the late Bob Dell; together they
raised six children. Flora’s children meant the world to her
and she leaves behind Susan, Ottawa; Catherine (Paul), Riverview;
Peter, Montreal; David (Leslee), Fredericton; and Anne-Marie (Hugh),
Riverview. Flora was pre-deceased by her oldest child Robbie (Paula),
Sydney. She was a fun and adored Nanny to her grandchildren
Shauna, Nanette, Robbie, Chris, Leigh, Allison, Ian, Justin, Tess, and
Sara. Flora had 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Flora is survived by her much loved and dear
sister, Diane Barry of Montreal.
Flora was
born in Montreal and met her future husband at a military social
during the war. Their married life took them on a journey from
Montreal to Riverview, Halifax, Sydney, Vancouver, and Fredericton.
Flora enjoyed swimming, golf, cross country skiing, sports
cars, the Montreal Canadiens, and walking her wonderful companion
dogs.
Flora was very active in the local
Moncton and Riverview communities in the areas of French language
training and the needs of older adults. Flora was the first woman
Councillor in the town of Riverview and the founder of the Riverview
library and Riverview Arts Council as well as a founding member of the
Moncton Mayor’s Senior Advisory Committee. She ran
a successful project to have Moncton certified by the World Health
Organization as an age-friendly community. She was a member of the
Moncton Senior Friendly Community and Senior’s Information
Centre. Flora worked in the New Brunswick Government
assisting persons with disabilities and older adults (1979-1994) and
with the Federal Department of Health on working committees relating
to Special Populations.
Flora was a founding
member of the Active Coalition for Older Adults and was involved in
developing an aging strategy for New Brunswick with the Council on
Aging.
Flora was a director or executive
member of CIHR-institute on Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis,
Canadian Arthritis Network of Excellence, Osteoporosis Canada, Frosst
Health Care Foundation, Canadian Centre on Physical Activity and
Ageing ((Western University), President‘s Advisory Committee
on Gerontology (St. Thomas University), Active Living Coalition (Older
Adults) and The Canadian Hunger Foundation (Africa and Guyana
projects).
In recognition of her active
volunteer work Flora received The Order of Canada, The Order of New
Brunswick, The Order of Moncton, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Medal, The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, Laval University
Centennial Award, Osteoporosis Canada’s Builder’s
Award, Frosst Health Care Foundation Citation, and the City of Moncton
Recognition Award.
The family would like to
thank the wonderful staff at Grass Home for their loving,
compassionate care of Flora. We are extremely grateful for your
kindness.
The family will have a private
funeral service. A celebration of Flora’s life will
be held at Cobb’s Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 330
Whitepine Rd, Riverview (506-869-2007) on Sunday, November
5th from 1-3pm. Donations in memory of Flora
would be appreciated to PAW Moncton or a charity of your choice.
Donations in memory of Flora would be appreciated
to PAW Moncton or the charity of your choice.