PALMER, Floris

PALMER, Floris Marion (Flo)

Passed away peacefully on 24th May 2022, Aged 91 years.

Loving wife of

Bruce (Dec.), with whom she had 10 children.

Melville (Dec.)

Gordon (Dec.)

Loving Mother of Karyn (Dec.), Joan, Roberta, Jennifer, Anita, Philip,Michael, Daryn, Malcolm & Ian.

Mother-In-Law & Friend to Husbands, Wives & Partners of her Children.

Adored Grandma to 21 Grand Children & 21 Great Grand Children.

Floris (Flo) was born to Elizabeth & Thomas Whittaker, in Ararat, Country Victoria, on 4th February 1931.

When she was three years of age, Flo’s family relocated to Melbourne after their father became ill.

In keeping with the practices of the times, Flo & her younger brother Raymond James (Jim) were placed in a Orphanage in Melbourne & remained there for approximately three months, during their Father’s illness. Following his death, the family moved to Ballarat.

Flo grew up in Ballarat, attending Urquhart St Primary School & later, Ballarat East Girls School.

A self confessed ‘Villian’, the ever cheeky & mischievous Flo, enjoyed the advantages of growing up in a Rural Community, in a loving family, which by this time included her Step Father Mack (always known to us as Pa) who doted on her & called her by the nickname ‘Possum’.

The Great Depression, WWII, & a Polio Epidemic may have rocked the World, however they did little to kerb Flo’s optimistic outlook, & in later years she looked back fondly upon her childhood.

The Polio Epidemic forced changes to schooling across Victoria, so Flo spent a considerable portion of her Primary School days doing her school work by correspondence.

The advent of WWII, saw two US Army Officers billeted with the family, providing Flo with two ‘older brothers’, whom she loved.

Trips to the Grampians & Snowfields were a highlights of Flo’s holidays.

In her fourteenth year Floris left school & began learning her Trade, as a Hand Smocker. She went on to smock pieces of Prince William of Gloucester’s Summer Wardrobe.

Aged seventeen, Flo moved to Melbourne to become a Nurse. Shortly after, she met Bruce Howell, at a Children’s Convalescent Hospital in Brighton.

She married Bruce & on 3rd September 1949.

They welcomed their first daughter, Karyn Antoinette, the following year. However, ten months later, while Flo was again pregnant, tragedy struck when Karyn died as a result of an outbreak of Dysentry.

Shortly after they married, Flo & Bruce began building their first home in East Bentleigh, initially living in the Garage, while the remainder of the home was constructed.

Flo went on to carry & deliver another nine Children over a period of 21 years.

Joan Ruth

Roberta (Bobbie) Anne

Jennifer (Jenni) Marjorie

Anita (Pip) Floris

Philip Bruce

Michael Robert

Daryn James Henry

Malcolm Kimbal

& Ian Roderick

Flo loved baking, & all manner of crafts, including- quilting, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, cake making & decorating, long stitch, cross stitch, & painting.

Together, Flo & Bruce built their second home in East Burwood circa 1963.

Flo was ever resilient & resourceful, always finding ways & means to ensure that the family had the basics & no-one went without, often working in addition to managing a household ‘full’ of children. Amongst her many occupational roles, Flo served as a ‘Cook’ & ‘Cleaner’ at a nearby Convent for several years, Bow Water Scott, & Commonwealth Bank.

Later in life, Flo said ‘Having Kids was the best part of my life.’ This is supported by the fact that in addition to raising her own children, she also fostered several other children over the period.

Always interested in supporting & participating in her local community, Flo was Guide Leader in the late 1970’s - early 1980’s.

In 1982, after divorcing from Bruce, Flo moved to Scoresby with their three youngest children.

In 1983 she married Melville Nell, later separating & divorcing 1997.

In 1991 Flo moved from Victoria to Western Australia, living in Midland, where she again engaged with the local community & assisting management of a ‘Shop’ which provided low cost basics for people who might not otherwise be able to afford them in mainstream supermarkets.

In 1993 she returned to Melbourne, to live in Box Hill for several years, before moving to Bayswater.

While in Box Hill, Flo joined the Loyal Orange Lodge, & was eventually installed as ‘Master’ of the Lodge.

In 2008 Flo married Gordon Palmer. A few short years later Gordon was admitted to Clarendon Grange Nursing Home, due to Dementia. Flo moved into the Nursing Home in 2016, to be closer to Gordon.

Flo settled into the community at Clarendon Grange, & was well known by Staff & Residents alike.

As she grew older, Flo was blessed with twenty-one Grand Children & a further twenty-one Great Grand Children, whom she loved to see & spend time with, along with a myriad of ‘adopted children & grand children’ collected over the years.

In her later years, Flo said she ’Enjoyed growing old, but wasn’t keen on the physical aspects of the process’. She was optimistic about life in general, & is quoted as saying ‘I can close my eyes & be happy with my life.’

A Life Well-lived.

Forever in our Hearts.