Florence Elsie Bilinsky

Florence Bilinsky (Smith) was born on September 18, 1922 on a farm near Raymore, Saskatchewan. She had two sisters and one brother who were her childhood playmates. In 1947 she married Ladimer Bilinsky (deceased 1986) and they had three children; Marcia, Raymond (Valerie) and   Deborah (Robert). She called Esterhazy her home for almost 50 years. She spent 10 years working at Chomos Bros. Hardware before deciding to take time for more education. She went on to become a dental assistant to Dr. Jack Ikle, and then spent 20 years as the administrator at the Centennial Special Care Home in Esterhazy. Her Catholic Faith was always the centre of her life and Florence was a lector at Our Lady of Victories Parish, and was an active CWL Member. Her volunteer work included Girl Guides of Canada, Potashville Singles Club and eventually the Golden Jets where she served on the executive for many years. A list of her likes and pastimes were many and diverse; gardening, travel, knitting, crocheting, needle point, sewing, ceramics, reading,   cooking, music (she played the guitar and accordion), fishing, camping and cats-lots of cats! Then came retirement and time for the grandchildren; Amanda (Mike), Barry, Burton (Kathryn) and Ashley (Charles). Later came the great-grandchildren; Madison, Jaxson and Charlie. Regrettably, they never experienced the joys of her cinnamon buns and monster cookies. Florence moved to  Regina in 2007 to have better access to health care, and eventually moved into long term care, first in Cupar and then in Lumsden. She celebrated her 96th birthday shortly before her final illness. Florence said that her life’s inspiration was her grandmother, Julia Krall, because of her devout Faith, mild manner, outpouring of love and hard work. The same can be said of Florence.