Florine Joyce Prince

Florine Joyce Prince

     It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our dear, sweet mom, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Florine Prince.  After a short, but courageous battle with cancer, Mom passed away quietly, and peacefully on January 5, 2021, with her daughter by her side. 

     Florine was born on February 27, 1951 at Fisher River Cree Nation.  She leaves to mourn and treasure her memories, her three (3) children daughter Angela (Derek) Smoke, grandchildren Angel, Justyce (Reagan) and Darius.  Son Jason (Amy) Prince and grandchildren Aaron (Shicara), Tyler, Lauren (Dawson), Kennedy (Vernon), McKenleigh, Peyton, Tiana, Jacoby, and Jayden.  Son Justin (Chantal) Prince, grandchildren Callista, Christian, Alicia, Jace, Greyson, and Summer. Florine also had three (3) precious great grandchildren who she was always so proud to talk about, Colby, Eli and Kacyn.  Florine also held Robin Talbot, Gail Taylor and Hali Arsenault close to her heart and her prayers.  She will be greatly missed by her canine companion Marty the Pug.

     Florine will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her brothers; Leonard, Frank, Freddy (Flora), Matthew (Harlene), and Gordon Kirkness and sisters Freda Thomas and Debra (Mike) Rose and sister-in-law Beatrice Kirkness, and many nieces and nephews, both on the Kirkness and Prince side, too numerous to mention, however, no less important. 

     Florine was predeceased by her partner Barry Lauttamus, parents Matthew and Flora Kirkness (Bouchey), siblings Ellen Ruth, Matthew Wilson, Andrew, Joe Edwin, Freda Marie, and an infant sibling, as well as sister-in-law Irene Kirkness and brother-in-law Ossie Thomas. 

     Florine was born a Kirkness, but was welcomed into the Prince family with open arms and love.  Although she and Simon were separated for many years, they maintained a great relationship with each other and always considered each other friends.  She remained in the family and leaves to mourn her passing, brothers-in-law Doug, Larry (Liz), Peter (Tara), George, Shane and Kyle (Brooke). As well as sisters-in-law Donna and Brenda Prince, Betty Jean Traverse, Leona, Sandy, Yvette, Yvonne, Stephanie and sister-in-law Marge Prince. She was predeceased by her father-in-law Rufus Prince and mother-in-law Doreen Prince, brothers-in-law Steve and Dennis Prince (who she affectionately called her little brothers), sister-in-law Jean Prince and Earl Prince. 

     She also leaves to mourn her brother-in-law Gord (Sharon) Middleton who she became wonderful friends with.

     Florine gave her heart to the Lord and found so much joy in attending various services within Manitoba.  The summer before her passing she attended tent services she always wanted to attend, and with friends she always wanted to travel with.  She was always ready to pray with and for her family, days before she passed, she was still praying for her children and grandchildren and family, rather than focusing her prayers on herself.  Florine loved listening to the word of God and her favorite radio broadcast was CFRY Sunday Requests.  Florine was overjoyed when her granddaughters Angel Smoke and Lauren Prince gave their hearts to the Lord, and when her grandsons Darius and Jace and great granddaughter Colby, took to praying regularly, often offering prayer for others.

     Florine was born and raised in Fisher River Cree Nation, and that is where she received her early education.  At the age of 15 she moved to Portage la Prairie to attend the Indian Residential School there. 

     Florine received her Bachelor of Education Degree from Brandon University in 1990.  Prior to that she worked as a Teachers Aid, first at Yellowquill School (1977-1980) and then Long Plain School, where she eventually started her teaching career.  Florine went on to work at numerous schools including; Peguis Central School, Dakota Plains School, and Lake Manitoba School. Florine was still working at Peguis Central School when she passed and she always appreciated that she was treated like family within the school and the community of Peguis.  Throughout her years in the Education field, she met numerous friends/colleagues and taught many students she grew to love and cherished watching them grow up.  Florine was always a hard worker and earned the reputation as such. 

     Florine’s favorite past times were spent talking about her family, she was always a committed mother and a participating mother in her children’s lives.  Her children were always her first priority and raised us to make our children our first priorities as well.  She was a proud grandma.  Family was always a priority.  She exemplified dignity and grace and carried it with her always.  In recent years she got into travelling, trips to South Dakota, Yorkton with her friend Alice, trips within Manitoba with her sister Freda, and the summer of 2019 she went to the mountains and fell in love with it and planned to go back, she loved going on short little adventures.  With Barry she found a love for camping and fishing, driving the garden tractor and long drives.  In recent years, she purchased a Jeep and she was happy just driving around in it, listening to her music.  She enjoyed singing and dancing, listening to all kinds of music - especially gospel, family get togethers and just leisurely drinking coffee on the deck and enjoying the warm sunshine. 

     Florine was loved by her family and friends and she loved them just as much.  She was always the cool grandma and in fact earned the nickname Facebook Grandma (FBG for short) from her grandson Darius.  Right up until the end, she would light up when telling which grandchild was texting her and what they said.  She loved seeing their pictures online, hearing their stories, and accomplishments, and if anyone was sick or struggling, they were included in her prayers.  She was always supportive and encouraging and would offer her wisdom when asked, but would more often tell us to pray on it.  Her phone calls and messages will be greatly missed. 

     Active pallbearers will be Aaron Prince, Tyler Prince, Justyce Smoke, Darius Smoke, Callista Prince and Lauren Prince.

     Honorary pallbearers will be all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends Alice Thomas, Karen Myran, Olive Stevenson, Frances Hart, Donna Prince, Leona Myran, Melanie Choken, Myrtle Thompson, Dar Roy, Alfred Sutherland, Pam Boulanger, Robin Meeches, Dennis Peters, Doug Douglas, the Sutherland Family, and Godson Matthew Rose.

     Family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff of Percy E. Moore Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Swan Lake First Nation Health Centre, and Lorne Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion during this time. 

     Viewing will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and in compliance to the Manitoba Covid restrictions.

     Due to the Covid restrictions a private family funeral will be held on Monday, January 11th, 2021 at the Omega Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at the Prince-Longclaws Cemetery, Long Plain First Nation, Manitoba and in compliance to the Manitoba Covid restrictions.     

     Please click here to view an recording of the service ~ https://youtu.be/5lrpdcaQ7CE

Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com

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