Obituary for Florence Allain (Conway)
Florence Allain was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother during her wonderful 84 years of life. She passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022 after a brief illness.
Florence had a long and full life, marked by unparalleled perseverance. She was born on August 8, 1938 to Michael and Margaret Conway in Kelly’s Cross, P.E.I. on a farm. She was the fourth youngest of 11 children.
In 1958, Florence moved to Montreal, where she met the love of her life, Len Allain. A mutual friend introduced them and they immediately had eyes for each other. When Len decided to move to Toronto, he asked her to go with him, and lucky for him, she agreed right away. They married on September 3, 1960 at the Holy Family Church in Parkdale, Toronto. They had two children, Cheryl (1961) and George (1964-2002). David, Cheryl’s husband, became an important part of the family too when he was a teenager.
Len and Florence were completely inseparable and the best of friends. They had just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They spent many years enjoying the little things together: drinking tea; going on walks; eating their favorite soup for lunch; going on driving adventures to explore new places; watching Jeopardy in the evenings. Together they were snow birds every winter, adventuring together off to the warmer climates of Florida, California, and Arizona. Florence had many friends and loved to socialize one-on-one, taking her grandkids along for chats with her friends whenever they visited. She loved the sun and gardening. She couldn’t wait to get back home to Canada each year to start planting.
Florence was a true hard-worker at everything she did. Once she put her mind to something, she always accomplished it. She worked at CN and, together, she and Len saved up to buy their first house. In her forties, when she wanted to get a job at Ontario Hydro, the fact that it required her to be able to drive wasn’t a barrier—in her forties, off she went and got herself a driver’s license. Above all, she would have done anything for her family and she was set on ensuring the best life possible for them. Following in Florence’s path, Cheryl also managed to balance working and motherhood; she became a successful lawyer, as did Florence’s two granddaughters. Florence was also very proud of her son-in-law and grandson, the two scientists in the family.
Florence had three grandchildren: Lauren (Alex), Carly (Matt) and Evan (Jenny). She thought they were the most perfect grandchildren anyone could ever have and loved to tell people about them or show off pictures. When Cheryl, Dave and the grandchildren lived in England in the 1990s, Florence and Len had the chance to visit several times and take trips to Dublin, Paris, Northern France, and many parts of England. Florence’s favorite place was Dublin. Once her family lived in the United States, she went on many trips there, but one that really stuck out was when she went to see the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, where the famous swallows return annually. She was often incredulous about the places she got to see, saying “I can’t believe I’m here.”
Florence was also thrilled to become a great-grandmother: Rowan (age 3 ½), Sydney (age 2) and Ainsley (age 8 months) were a constant source of pride and delight to her.
Florence and Len moved from their house in Millcroft, Burlington to a beautiful condo in April of 2022. Cheryl helped them decorate their new place and Florence loved all her new furniture; she always said she didn’t miss a single thing about her old house. Most of all, she loved the view of the escarpment and the lake from her favorite blue chair near the window on the eighth floor, right next to her husband’s chair. She will forever be remembered by her family, including her sister Helen, sister-in-law Irma, many nieces and nephews, and by the many lives she touched. Her family will never take for granted that Florence is the reason that they all exist, and her legacy will live on in that way forever.
Florence had a long and full life, marked by unparalleled perseverance. She was born on August 8, 1938 to Michael and Margaret Conway in Kelly’s Cross, P.E.I. on a farm. She was the fourth youngest of 11 children.
In 1958, Florence moved to Montreal, where she met the love of her life, Len Allain. A mutual friend introduced them and they immediately had eyes for each other. When Len decided to move to Toronto, he asked her to go with him, and lucky for him, she agreed right away. They married on September 3, 1960 at the Holy Family Church in Parkdale, Toronto. They had two children, Cheryl (1961) and George (1964-2002). David, Cheryl’s husband, became an important part of the family too when he was a teenager.
Len and Florence were completely inseparable and the best of friends. They had just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They spent many years enjoying the little things together: drinking tea; going on walks; eating their favorite soup for lunch; going on driving adventures to explore new places; watching Jeopardy in the evenings. Together they were snow birds every winter, adventuring together off to the warmer climates of Florida, California, and Arizona. Florence had many friends and loved to socialize one-on-one, taking her grandkids along for chats with her friends whenever they visited. She loved the sun and gardening. She couldn’t wait to get back home to Canada each year to start planting.
Florence was a true hard-worker at everything she did. Once she put her mind to something, she always accomplished it. She worked at CN and, together, she and Len saved up to buy their first house. In her forties, when she wanted to get a job at Ontario Hydro, the fact that it required her to be able to drive wasn’t a barrier—in her forties, off she went and got herself a driver’s license. Above all, she would have done anything for her family and she was set on ensuring the best life possible for them. Following in Florence’s path, Cheryl also managed to balance working and motherhood; she became a successful lawyer, as did Florence’s two granddaughters. Florence was also very proud of her son-in-law and grandson, the two scientists in the family.
Florence had three grandchildren: Lauren (Alex), Carly (Matt) and Evan (Jenny). She thought they were the most perfect grandchildren anyone could ever have and loved to tell people about them or show off pictures. When Cheryl, Dave and the grandchildren lived in England in the 1990s, Florence and Len had the chance to visit several times and take trips to Dublin, Paris, Northern France, and many parts of England. Florence’s favorite place was Dublin. Once her family lived in the United States, she went on many trips there, but one that really stuck out was when she went to see the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, where the famous swallows return annually. She was often incredulous about the places she got to see, saying “I can’t believe I’m here.”
Florence was also thrilled to become a great-grandmother: Rowan (age 3 ½), Sydney (age 2) and Ainsley (age 8 months) were a constant source of pride and delight to her.
Florence and Len moved from their house in Millcroft, Burlington to a beautiful condo in April of 2022. Cheryl helped them decorate their new place and Florence loved all her new furniture; she always said she didn’t miss a single thing about her old house. Most of all, she loved the view of the escarpment and the lake from her favorite blue chair near the window on the eighth floor, right next to her husband’s chair. She will forever be remembered by her family, including her sister Helen, sister-in-law Irma, many nieces and nephews, and by the many lives she touched. Her family will never take for granted that Florence is the reason that they all exist, and her legacy will live on in that way forever.