STAIRS, FLORENCE EDITH - 1924 - 2013 - The home-going of Florence Edith Stairs (Kelly) of Fredericton, NB, wife of the late Lorne Darc Stairs, occurred on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at Pine Grove Nursing Home where she was loved and cared for through her journey with Alzheimer’s. She was born December 11, 1924 in Newton, New Hampshire, making her Lorne’s ‘favorite Yankee’. Florence worked faithfully by her husband, Lorne, as they served with Canadian Baptist Ministries as missionaries in Bolivia for over 25 years. She also was an intricate part in his ministry as pastor of several churches in New Brunswick, having a special heart for the Rexton/Richibucto churches which completed their full-time ministry. Florence was a member of Brunswick Street Baptist Church. What meant the most to Florence was sharing her faith, her family and her music. She will be remembered fondly for her joyful contented spirit and how she loved to sing. Florence graduated from Providence Bible Institute in Rhode Island and Gordon College of Theology and Missions outside of Boston. It was there that she met her husband. This prepared her for the many years she taught and shared her love of music with students at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Cochabamba, Bolivia. She worked diligently and with love to help provide Bolivians with their own hymnbook putting their own tunes and compositions in written musical harmony for the first time. She is survived by her children, Gloria Tranquilla, Fredericton, NB; Gail Stairs, Moncton, NB; Sheila Chao (Joseph), Los Angeles, CA; Glenn Stairs (Sandra), Sussex, NB; Ann Wallin, Oakville, ON; Bryan Stairs, Oakville, ON and Owen Stairs, Moncton, NB; grandchildren, Jim (Laura), John, Giselle, Jocelyne and Joel (Meghan) Tranquilla; Andrew, Dion (Jen) and Sabrina Chao; Sasha and Krista Stairs; and John and Kelly Wallin; great grandchildren, Elliot and Clara Tranquilla; one sister, Trudie Butler and sister-in-law, Marion Kelly (the late Don Kelly); and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York St., on Friday, February 22nd, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The funeral service will be held at Brunswick Street Baptist Church on Saturday, February 23rd at 11 am with Rev. Greg Geldart officiating. Interment will be in Bear Island Cemetery in the spring. Due to allergies flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, remembrances may be made to the Canadian Baptist Ministries, Brunswick Street Baptist Church, Victory Baptist Church in Rexton or the charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences and the sharing of memories may be expressed through www.mcadamsfh.com or 458-9170.