BOYLE, FLORENCE CATHERINE (OWENS)
Florence Catherine Boyle (Owens) passed away peacefully on July 24, 2015 at the West End Villa, Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 91. She was the daughter of the late Florence Mary Owens (Halpin) and Frank C. Owens. Catherine was a resident of Saint John until 2008 when she moved to her daughter's home in Pakenham, ON.
Friendly, outgoing, generous and strong-willed, Catherine was a devout Catholic; a graduate of St. Vincent's Girls' High School and Modern Business College. Her first jobs were at the City of Saint John in the Taxation Dep’t. and secretary to the Chief of Police. Catherine was very well celebrated by the auditors at Revenue Canada when she retired after 13 years of service, and was fondly nicknamed ‘Boomer’.
An avid bridge player, long serving church choir member and soloist, ardent supporter for the Liberal Party, and volunteer for many charities, especially those supporting children, Catherine always found time to help her coworkers, friends and neighbours. She kept very busy with cooking, baking, knitting, sewing, embroidery, needlepoint and social events. Her focus, however, was always on her seven children and 11 grandchildren (Allan, Stephanie, Danielle, Jennifer, Shawn, Matthew, Michael, Christopher, Sara, Aaron and Max) whom she carefully nurtured and loved unconditionally.
Catherine put her talents to work in all aspects of her life by: volunteering to coordinate the United Way campaign at the Income Tax; by being a member of the executive of Westvale Park housing association and by whipping up a birthday cake if she heard it was someone’s birthday.
Swimming was a favourite pastime – in the ocean, in SJ Aquatic Centre, in the Kennebecasis and pools. She won medals at the Senior Olympics. Singing was important to Catherine her whole life, especially in church and at parties. She sang and danced in the Knights of Columbus operettas during the war.
Catherine loved to travel using the airline passes from her son, David. She flew across Canada regularly to visit her family and she also traveled to Mexico and Japan. She enjoyed Caribbean cruises with her sister, Frances and winter days with her sister, Betty in Arizona and Florida. Catherine loved to socialize with her cherished friends at Chapel Grove in the summer and go on shopping trips to New York.
She is survived by her children Shawn Hayes, Pakenham, ON; David (Alison) Sonora, Mexico; Tom, Victoria, BC; Cathy MacLaren (Sean) Calgary, AB; Paul (Lynne), Quispamsis, NB; and Greg, Victoria, BC; sister, Elizabeth Owens, Fredericton, NB and brother, James F. Owens, Saint John, NB,11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Catherine was predeceased by her son, Patrick; sisters Frances Flood, Kennebecasis Park and Patricia Coughlan, Edmonton; brothers William, Edward and George; sisters-in-law Margaret Owens, Jacqueline Owens, Joan Owens and Jean Owens; brothers-in-law George F. Flood and Hon John C. Coughlan.
All are welcome to the Memorial Mass to be held at St. Peter’s Church, Clarendon St., Saint John, New Brunswick on Saturday, September 5th, 2015 at 11:00AM followed by a reception.
Donations to charities of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.