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FLORENCE THOMPSON (nee KIRKHAM, LEMKE)

October 27, 2016

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FLORENCE THOMPSON 85, of Penticton, B.C., formerly of Calgary, and New Hill / Craig Districts of Central Alberta, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Penticton Regional Hospital, on Thursday, October 27, 2016. She is survived and deeply missed by sons Brian (Sherryl) of Surrey, B.C., and Douglas (whereabouts unknown), three emotionally devastated granddaughters, who she loved beyond words, Ashley (Martin) of Vancouver, B.C., Brianna (Tim) of Langley, B.C. and Courtney of Melbourne, Australia; brothers John (Ruth) Lemke of Markerville, Alberta, Gary (June) Lemke of Calgary, Alberta, sister-in-law Marion (Helmut, d.) Lemke of Red Deer, Alberta, and a number of nieces and nephews and close friends. She is also deeply missed by her close and dear friend of 26 years, Pat Janzen of Penticton. Mom considered Pat her sister and they talked virtually every day. Pat was a friend to Mom to the very end and was the last to see her at the hospital before she left us. Pat was always willing and available to assist Mom whenever and with whatever was needed: with errands, doctor visits, shopping, personal chauffeur, coffee chats, and as confidant. The family is forever grateful for her friendship and love to Mom over the years. Born in Nisku, Alberta on November 15, 1930, the family moved to the Craig District in Central Alberta, where she met and married George Kirkham and gave birth to Brian and Douglas. They farmed in the New Hill District until 1957, when the family moved to Calgary. She re-married Fred Thompson of Calgary, in 1974, and retired to Penticton in 1983, where she resided, other than a brief period spent in White Rock, B.C. and Red Deer, Alberta, until her passing. Mom was an exceptional cook, an excellent seamstress, she knitted and crocheted (though not in recent years), played the piano and was an accomplished artist in oil paints for many years, when she was younger, loved fishing, travel, cruising, and spending time at the Casino. Mom never had a problem making friends and had many of them over the years. She was talkative, outspoken, never shy about expressing her opinions, but never over-bearing or abusive to others. Growing up, she was always hosting parties and people were always coming and going. She was pre-deceased by parents Fred and Olga Lemke; Pauline Lemke (father Fred’s second wife); spouses George Kirkham and Fred Thompson; brother Helmut Lemke; her dear sister and brother-in-law, Hilda and Eric Matson; Alf Walter, who was Mom’s companion in her later years; and nephew Dwayne Lemke. There will be no service, in keeping with Mom’s wishes. A private celebration with family will be held in the spring, when Mom’s ashes will be buried with her mother in Innisfail, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory, to the charity of your choice. A great lady, with an unforgettable and irrepressible personality, who was deeply loved, will be sadly missed by all who knew her.



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