WHITEFORD, Flora Miller died May 12, 2011, in Victoria, BC. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, she was predeceased by her immigrant parents, Agnes Stuart Miller Whiteford, from Scotland and Willoughby Joseph Whiteford from No. Ireland, and also by her three brothers: Hugh (Lorraine Roberge), Gavin (Gladys Benson), David (Julia Cherniuk), and one sister Kathleen (Joseph Shalloe).
Following high school and tertiary studies, she graduated from Knox College, University of Toronto, a diaconal minister, Presbyterian Church in Canada and appointed to work in Alberta, Sask, BC and Toronto’s inner city.
Knox college theological studies began a life of freedom and understanding giving a perspective of how God’s love embraces all humankind. In due course she chose to do a year of sabbatical studies at New College, Edinburgh University, Scotland. Her return to inner city work in Toronto’s east end with the Women’s Missionary Society was followed by a two year stint in a parish in Doveton, Melbourne, Australia; here she became involved ecumenically.
Diaconal work continued for a period of 20 years encouraged her to accept protection/prevention social work with Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society. This part of her career with families and children spanned a period of 20 years. Throughout her very active professional life, Flora held high her office of an ordained elder, designated diaconal minster and Commissioner of Ontario’s Child Welfare Court with honour and good humour. She felt passionately about justice issues in Canada and abroad, making friends throughout the Church catholic.
She loved the symphony and live theatre, and travelled extensively visiting friends in Guyana, Japan, Hong Kong, Barbados, Taiwan, Thailand, Mauritius, South Africa and many trips to N. Ireland & Scotland. She leaves relatives in N. Ireland and Scotland and loving nieces and nephews: Lori Lakusta (Michael Muise), Michelle Shalloe (Joe Lasher), Peggy Shalloe, Vicki Shalloe (Tony LaRosa), Don E. Benson Whiteford, KathyLyn Whiteford (Jim Szakacs), Kirk Whiteford (Cindy Becker), Lloyd Whiteford (Joyce Penner), Rick Whiteford (Penny Martin) and many grand nieces and nephews. She also cherished lifelong friendships with Tamiko Corbett, Barbara Devine, Adeline Jack, Merle McGowan and Donna Wells.
A service of thanksgiving in celebration of Flora’s life in Knox Presbyterian Church, Victoria, will be held at the church, 2964 Richmond Road, 3:30pm, Saturday May 14th, conducted by the Rev. Laura T. Kavanagh.
Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be sent to: Presbyterian World Service & Development, 2964 Richmond Road, Victoria BC, V8R 4V1.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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David Webber, Cariboo Mission
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FILIA V. MITCHELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ONE BELOVED FLORA;
I ONLY KNEW FLORA FOR A PERIOD OF 2 YEARS AFTER MOVING INTO THE SAME COMPLEX THAT SHE LIVED IN.
ALTHOUGH OUR FRIENDSHIP WAS SHORT LIVED, A RAY OF SUNSHINE HAS LEFT OUR PLACE. SHE ALWAYS HAD THAT VIBRANT SMILE AND UPLIFTING SPIRIT – I CAN STILL SEE HER COMING UP THE HILL WITH HER GROCERIES. NEVER A DULL MOMENT WITH FLORA IN A CONVERSATION. SHE WAS A ROLE MODEL AND EXPRESSION OF GOODNESS ALWAYS.SHE WAS FRIEND TO ALL AND LIVED HER BELIEFS. SHE WILL BE SADLY MISSED AND YES, WE WILL ONE DAY MEET AGAIN.
REST IN PEACE FLORA –
I wish to offer heartfelt condolences to Flora’s family and friends. Flora was a great supporter of the Cariboo mission. We will miss her support and prayers very much. She had a true heart for the mission of Christ in the world, something that is both very precious and increasingly rare.
Blessings
The Rev. Dave Webber, on behalf of the saints in the Cariboo