Sydney
In peace, Florrie died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Born on January 14, 1929, in Reserve, a place she treasured, Florrie was the daughter of the late Mickey F. and Flora MacNeil.
Florrie was married to John J. Paruch in 1954, until his death in 1980. Together they had four children, Mary (Sister M. Johanna), Michael (Katie), and their son, Kelly, Kathy Eades (the late John), and their children, Luke, Josh, and Jessica, Nancy and her son, Paul Bickerton (Nicole MacDougal); as well as many special nieces and nephews whom she supported and loved.
Mom was predeceased by her brothers, Flight Sergent Hilary MacNeil, Cecil Mac Neil, and sisters, Peggy Abraham and Mary O’Leary.
Florrie was a 1954 graduate of St Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay. Until her retirement in the 80’s she spent her career there, ultimately serving as head of Maternity, and the Night Supervisor for many years. She was a nurse’s nurse, earning the admiration of the doctors, nurses, and the many students who were trained by her over the years. She retired from active nursing in 1982, then volunteered for Palliative Care. She had a tremendous gift caring for the dying. During her days off she produced masterpieces of needlework, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and hand sewn dresses.
Florrie was a woman of deep Catholic faith, in her ‘retirement’ she attended daily Mass. She was a member of St. Mary’s Polish Church and Holy Redeemer Church.
Florrie purchased her bungalow in Ben Eion, and as her way, opened it to family and friends who were always welcome to come for a swim, or to attend the huge gatherings with great food and conversations. The bungalow was her refuge from spring thaw to first snow.
As she graciously accepted the limitation that age brings, she moved to South Bar, living in her sweet apartment attached to Michael and Katie’s house. As long as she was able, she continued to enjoy Sunday Mass, shopping, lunch out, and her friends and family. In the past few years, she struggled with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, which never diminished her capacity to laugh heartily, one of her greatest attributes.
The family has deep appreciation for the warm, compassionate care provided to our mom by the County Homemakers, VON and New Dawn. Special thanks to Margie McNeil and Darlene Cunningham. Also, thanks to those at the Cove who cared for her and the wonderful staff at An Cala Palliative Care who provided comfort to mom in her final days.
There will be no visitation for the late Florrie Paruch. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Private family interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks at a later date.
Donations in memory of Florrie may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Paruch family:
Sincere sympathy on the passing of your dear mother. May all your wonderful family memories bring peace at this difficult time.
Our prayers are with you all.
From: Dave and Mary French
Mike,
I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My condolences and thoughts are with you and Katie at this difficult time.
From: Chuck Drohan
Dear Mike and Family,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. Florrie was a dear person and I know her loss will be felt very deeply. We have many lovely memories of her as I am sure all her friends and family have as well. May your memories sustain you and your family in the days to come.
From: Doug and Margie Walsh
My deepest condolences to the family of Florrie. What a beautiful soul she was. My she rest in beautiful peace.
From: Katelyn A
Thoughts go out to the family, I always enjoyed dropping in for as she would say “I’m a quick visit, wouldn’t it be great if all were like me” . I enjoyed our back and forth teasing as I always wanted a bite of her beautiful lunch ( and no, she would never let me have a bite, lol) and making sure not to upset the ole nurse manager in her. Home nursing has its up and downs and getting to know great clients and great families such as Flo’s is definitely a pleasure.
From: Dale Glancey, LPN, VON
So Sorry Mike for the loss of your Mom,our Deepest Condolences to you and Katie and all her family and friends.Kenny and Mary.
You are all in my heart and in my thoughts at this time. How lucky we have all been to have Aunt Florrie in our lives. Although I have not been able to make the trip over, please know that love has always been abundant in my heart for my Cape Breton family. Sending healing ❤️🩹 thoughts and strength to you all.
Fly high Aunt Florrie…I know there are many there to greet you and welcome you home. Please give a big hug to Ma from me.
❤️ Jo
My sincere condolences, Kathy, Nancy and the rest of your family, on the passing of your beautiful mother. She was a woman who made her mark on my heart. A kind and gentle soul.
Mary MacIntyre Desaulniers
So sorry for the loss of your mother . She was a wonderful lady and she always welcomed her children’s friends into her house or bungalow and treated us like one of her own . I have nothing but fond memories of her and had the pleasure to see her these last few months at the cove . She will be missed . ❤️
Nancy, Cathy, Michael, Mary and families. Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of you beautiful Mom. She sounds like a real treasure. You were all very blessed to have her for so long. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Love and Peace. Paul & Cindy Price. xoxo
Mike, Katie, Cathy, Nancy, Mary and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a very special person who always showed grace, dignity, and kindness. You have been so lucky to have her guidance and support over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy to all your family. Your beloved mother / grandmother was a truly special person and an excellent nurse and Supervisor. She truly touched the lives of her patients through her her compassion and care, and, she was a real role model for all nurses. She earned those Angel Wings. RIP.
Mary, Michael, Kathy and Nancy
Sincere condolence on the passing of your Mother. Florrie, she was a great lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. RIP Florrie.
Stan and Estelle
I worked with Florrie many years ago at St Joseph’s Hospital – a finer person one could not find.
Mike, Katie and the Paruch family so very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Florrie.
Mike and Katie and the Paruch family so very sorry to hear about your mom’s passing my thoughts are with you all.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother Nancy, Kathy, Michael and family.
Your mom always made everyone so welcome in her home. I have so many fond memories of hanging out at the old homestead with a bag full of treats from Wapo’s.
The bungalow was the best and your mom had the best laugh.
A lifetime of beautiful memories. Rest in peace Mrs. P
Love Ann & Arnie
I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. My thoughts go out to the family during this time.
We were so sad to hear of Flo’s passing. She was such a wonderful lady. We are thinking of you all and offer our sincere condolences.
Nancy, Mike & Paruch Families,
We were very saddened to read of Flo’s passing. She was a beautiful human, sharing and caring in the lives of others. We were blessed to have spent time with her in Ben Eoin and happier days swimming in the Bras d’Or Lake. May she rest in peace. Much love to your family at this difficult time.
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends. My heart is with you Mike and family.
Aunt Flo
A special person to so many people. A second sense of what was needed, and when to listen and when to speak. A great cook, and one of the slowest eaters, probably learned from Peggy, her oldest sister, my Mom. Our family could write a book on how many people she had helped in so many ways, including my Wife Corinne, my children, my brothers and sister, and all her nieces and nephews. Thanks to all Paruch cousins, Katie, and my brother Jim, for keeping us together for so many years. Missed, but never to be forgotten
Love❤️❤️. Jackie
Mike, Katie and Family: Sending our sincerest condolences in the loss of your Mom. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you Kathy and all your family at this sad time. Wish we weren’t so far away, here in B.C., so we could all give you heartfelt hugs. Your Mom sounds like she was a very special lady and blessing to so many. We miss you.
Love and hugs,. I will be praying for comfort and strength for you and family.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰💐
Sending many prayers to you Sr. M. Johanna, and gratitude to God for Florrie’s life and knowing her. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I know that I will never forget Florrie showing up at my mother’s funeral in 2018 when I was home form the states. I enjoyed visiting a few times at Mike and Katie’s where she was blessed to have lived. May she now rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Much love to you all! Sincerely in Christ, Sister M. Alexandra (Marilyn Morrison).
(written with her daughter, Joan)
Reading Florrie’s obituary brought back many memories. Florrie and her sister Peggy were the nicest and kindest girls you could ever meet. They were a wonderful addition to the nursing profession.
Our days at St Joseph’s in nursing school were challenging and busy but very rewarding. Condolences to the family.
Margaret (Barrington) Muise