Florence Thacker

1924 – 2022

The family of Florence Thacker (nee Heck), lovingly known by her family as “Grandma Goose”, would like to announce her passing on July 25, 2022 at the age of 97. Florence was predeceased by her husband George in 2019. She leaves behind six children: Lynn (Ute) Thacker, Janis (Meryl) Goodfellow, Jim (Dalyce) Thacker, Dale (Natalie) Thacker, Diane (Tim) Main and Richard Thacker. Also missing her are 13 grandchildren: Raimey, Nathan, Clint, Reed, Lawnie, Kassie, Martin, Emily, Kyle, Gavin, Brianne, Cam, Danika; 24 great-grandchildren as well as George’s sister, Clara Fraser.

Florence was born in Denzil Saskatchewan on September 19, 1924. Florence’s father, Hieronymus Heck, had passed away earlier that year. This left her mother, Annamary Heck, with a new baby and three young sons to survive on a widow’s pension which she augmented by taking in sewing. After four years, a match with a widower from Burdett, Andrew Volk, was made and this brought their families together. Florence was the last survivor of this blended family. Passing on before her were John (Pro) Volk, Anton (Helen) Heck, Frank (Mary) Volk, Francis (Benny) Wentz, Anna Mary (Neil) Hurt, Johnny (Jean) Heck, Frankie (Vale) Heck and Marjorie (Jack) Ross.

The Heck/Volk family were active members of the Catholic Church and they attended Jasmine School. As luck would have it, the daughter that Annamary was so excited to have, turned out to be a tomboy! Florence tested her mother’s sewing skills when she wanted slacks (which were SO not what girls of that era were wearing) so she could play ball and hockey.

It was at a dance in Burdett that Florence met George. She had given up dancing for Lent and he somehow convinced her to join him on the dance floor. The rest is history as they married and moved to the Thacker farm west of Bow Island. Moving to Bow Island gave her the opportunity to play competitive ball with a group of athletic women who became life long friends. Florence’s days were full with a large family to raise and never ending work on the farm but she still managed to play ball and curl. Then, at the age of 50, she found something that changed her life…golf! Her desire to play was insatiable and led George and Florence to Arizona for 17 winters. She loved competitive play, interclubs, summer games and league…or even playing by herself. You never visited Florence without bringing your clubs!

Florence’s “Heck” sense of humour never left her, even in her final months at the LTC.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Pleasant View Lodge and Long Term Care for the wonderfully personalized care they gave our mother. A special thank you to Carol Weatherhead who made mom’s last few years so much more interesting.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Burdett Hall on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to wear their favorite Golf attire in honour of Florence. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation c/o Long Term Care, Bow Island Health Centre, P.O. Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0 or the Pleasant View Lodge c/o Auxiliary Comfort Fund, P.O. Bag 6700, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0. ​(Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, t1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455

• Date : 2022-07-25
• Location : Bow Island, Alberta

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