Date de Décès: 2003-12-07
Date de Parution: 2003-12-17
Source: Edmonton Journal, AB
DeCOTEAU, Flora Flora DeCoteau was born on May 7, 1951 in Melfort, Saskatchewan. She passed away peacefully in Edmonton, Alberta, on December 14, 2003. She is survived by her husband Gerry Hoye; sons Stuart, Alexander, and Patrick; sister Betty (Walter) Schoenhofer, and nephew Colin (Sandi) Schoenhofer. Flo was the younger child of Harold and Annie DeCoteau. Her well-loved sister was her close friend and confidante throughout her life. Flo started 'school' at an early age, spending many happy hours joining her mother's home-based kindergarten. Her father was a successful farmer and school board member. Flo continued to be an excellent student and was an enthusiastic member of the Melfort High School band. She traveled with them to Europe and made lasting friendships. Flo did her B.A. (Advanced) at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with distinction. In Edmonton she completed course work towards an M.A. and won both a Province of Alberta Graduate Scholarship and the Frank Bessai Memorial Prize in Old English. She met and fell in love with Gerry Hoye. Flo and Gerry raised their family in the warm and friendly neighbourhood of North Garneau. They carefully renovated a heritage home and joined the movement to preserve the history of their street. Flo was also active in school and parent organizations. She took great pride in her children and in her nephew. Her roles as mother, wife and aunt were at the centre of her life. Flo loved poetry, literature, music and movies. She was a talented poet and writer of short stories. She also enjoyed cooking, doing the Guardian crossword puzzle, shopping for clothes, and listening to CBC. She loved to laugh. She never forgot her roots in small town Saskatchewan, but she adopted the English customs of her husband and enjoyed the cosmopolitan offerings of big cities-especially art galleries, architecture, and museums. Flo will be remembered as a talented administrator and an inspiring teacher. She was Registrar at Grant MacEwan College where she was also an instructor of English. The College has funded a bursary in her name and the English Department of the College has established the annual Flo DeCoteau Creative Writing Award. She spent many happy years working in the registrar's office at he University of Alberta. Flo served in positions such as Senior Coordinator, Applications Analyst on the CARS Project and Assistant Registrar of Administrative Services. She completed her career as Associate Registrar and Director of Records. Her colleagues remember her attention to detail, her dedication to her work, and her compassion. She made life better for students, and the University is honoring her contributions by setting up the Flora DeCoteau Undergraduate Scholarship. Flo nurtured her friends through regular contact, at events such as 'Swim Club' and 'Book Club', and during school and university reunions. She listened to and cared for them through the many joys and sorrows that life brings. She always taught by example. She will be missed profoundly. Flo's family wishes to thank her physician, Dr. D. Minion, for supporting Flo and her entire family during her illness. The family also thanks Capital Health Home Care staff and the palliative care staff of the Mel Miller Hospice (Unit 9Y) at Edmonton General Hospital. A Memorial Service and reception will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the University of Alberta Faculty Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Flo's memory to: The Alberta Cancer Foundation (Cross Cancer Institute), 11560 University Ave, Edmonton, T6G 1Z2; to The Grant MacEwan College Foundation, P.O. Box 1796, Edmonton, T5J 4P2 (cheques payable to Grant MacEwan College Foundation indicating the Flo DeCoteau Memorial Bursary, or the Flo DeCoteau Creative Writing Award); or to The Office of Student Awards, Students' Union Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2J7 (cheques payable to the University of Alberta, indicating the Flora DeCoteau Undergraduate Scholarship).