Florence Estella Fisher

It is with sadness that we, the family of Florence Estella Fisher, announce the passing of our Mum, Grandma, and/or Grams on November 30, 2024.  With family by her side, she passed away at the age of 102. 

Mum was born on April 13, 1922, to William and Elizabeth Berry on their farm south of Gilbert Plains. She was the third of six children and spent her childhood immersed in the life of the family farm. From milking cows to butchering chickens, tending a large garden, and even single-handedly hilling an enormous potato patch at the age of 12 for a promised trip to Winnipeg, she learned the value of hard work early on. 

Mum attended Tanner School through Grade 8 and completed her high school education at the Brickburn School in Gilbert Plains. She formed lifelong friendships with Grace and Alice, with whom she shared countless adventures, from dances to daily mischief. After high school, she attended Normal School in Winnipeg to become a teacher, taking her first post at a one-room schoolhouse in Swan River. Her teaching journey continued at Tanner School, Spruce Creek, and years later at the Whitmore School in Dauphin. 

It was during this time that Mum met the love of her life, Charles "Charlie" Fisher, on a blind date arranged by her sister Dorothy and Dad’s brother Bob . Their love story began with a long-distance courtship and culminated in their marriage on October 17, 1945, at the Berry family home in Gilbert Plains where she was born. 

They initially settled on a piece of land in the Burrows district, south of Dauphin, and later moved to the Fisher farm, also located in the Burrows district, where Janice and Wayne now live.  She became an instant mother to her husband’s two little girls, Barbara and Bobbie, whom she raised as her own. In 1948, their daughter Janice was born, and in 1950, Mum's sister Violet tragically passed away. When their father had to leave the country for work, Mum embraced Violet’s two little boys Bill and Bob Snyder, also raising them as her own.  In just five years of marriage, she found herself the mother of five children.   In 1951, Tom was born, and in 1957, Kathy completed their family.  Life on the farm was hard, but Mum faced every challenge.  She managed a huge garden, sold eggs from the chickens, and cream from their milk cows to help support the family. Ever resourceful, she sewed clothes for her children, and she was one of those women who sewed flour sacks into clothing  Even though there were many demands from their growing family and farm life, Mum and Dad found time for friends and social gatherings. They enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, golfing, curling, and family road trips across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. 

Mum had so many loves and hobbies, but family was always her first priority.  Family gatherings were her favourite. She treasured every grandchild and she spent time with each of them.   Every new great-grandchild and great-great grandchild that came along continued to thrill her.  Mum was always ready to  help every family member that was in need.  For example she helped cultivate on the farm well into her 80’s.    

Mum had a deep love for the outdoors, where her true interests flourished. She loved her flower beds and garden, even winning an award for the nicest farmyard one year. She spent hours making sure her flowers were perfect. Mum was a naturalist at heart and loved bird watching. She had a special love for owls and loons but enjoyed watching all kinds of birds. Dad used to laugh at her when she’d wake up at 4:00 a.m. to tramp into the bush and watch grouse doing their mating dance.  She loved wildlife and being in the forest.  Her knowledge of nature was incredible. We always joked that we could call "1-800-Florence" with any question about animals, birds, or plants. If she didn’t know the answer right away, she would find it! 

After Dad’s passing in 1983,  Mum continued to travel, even venturing overseas, always eager to learn and explore.  She enjoyed hiking, canoeing, and camping, and in the winter, she snowshoed and cross-country skied well into her 80s.   She was an avid reader, she crocheted, and loved to bake and cook for her family.    She was still filling the pantry with preserves and the freezer with vegetables from her garden up until she moved into Lorray Manor in 2013.   

Her legacy extended beyond her family to her community. She was active in the United Church Women, the Royal Purple, Eastern Star, the Burrows Ladies Club, and 4H. She also opened her home as a “safe house” for abused women before Dauphin had a women’s shelter.  Mum was a warm, giving person who made friends easily through her genuine interest in others. Her sharp sense of humour brought joy to those around her, including the staff at St. Paul's, who experienced her quick wit right up until her passing.   

Mum will be remembered for her humour, resilience, and boundless love for her family and community. She leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that will forever be cherished. 
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at St. Paul’s Care Home for their kindness and support of Mum during her 6 years in their care. 

Mum is survived by  a large and loving family which includes: Roberta Cripps, and children Terry Michaluk and Laura Lundy (Dave), Janice Nybo (Wayne) and children Corey (Keri), Jamie (Hui Ting), Kyle(Lexi), and Mitchell, Kathleen Fisher (Brian) and her children Colby Genoway (Aunna) and Chay Genoway (Amanda), and stepchildren Brenna Kichuk (Neil) and Deanne Sprott (Sean), Barbara’s children: Randy Schwab (Dawn), Ken Schwab (Linda), Tracey Schwab, and Lynnette Gray, Tom’s children:  Julian Fisher (Brooke) and Virginia Fisher (Garth). She is also survived by 30 great-grandchildren, and 7 great great-grandchildren, her nephews Bob Snyder and Bill Snyder who consider her their Mum also, and many nieces and nephews.  

Mum was predeceased by her husband Charlie, by her parents William and Elizabeth Berry, her siblings Ruby Rollins, Violet Snyder, Dorothy Robertson, Herb Berry, and Jim Berry, her dearest friend and sister-in-law Clara Berry, her daughter Barbara Schwab and grandchildren Deborah McFarlane and Christopher Schwab, her son Tom Fisher, and her grandsons David Cripps, Edward Nybo. 

If so desired, donations may be made to one of the following:   
• The Fort Dauphin Museum:    https://fortdauphinmuseum.ca 
• Nature Manitoba:                    http://www.naturemanitoba.ca
• Wildlife Haven:                       https://wildlifehaven.ca 

A celebration of Florence's life was held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre, Dauphin. 

A private interment followed in the Riverside Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence Estella Fisher, please visit our floral store.