Obituary of Florence Ogden

Surrounded by the love of her family, Florence Thelma Ogden, nee Lee passed away on March 24, 2019. She is now peacefully in the arms of her son and husband. Flo was the youngest of ten children born to Arthur and Mathilda Lee, on December 1, 1941. She grew up on the family homestead at Bear Pass, Ontario. She was no stranger to hard work and helped with the family fisheries and guiding business at a young age. An entrepreneur even as a child, she and her sister started a business harvesting minnows and selling them to the tourists who employed her family, much to the chagrin of their older siblings. At the tender age of 13, Flo entered the working world and held various jobs to help support her family and herself, including working for the Order of the Grey Nuns at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances. On June 8, 1962 Flo married the love of her life, Ken Ogden. Together they welcomed three children, Bob, Brent, and Kendra. Shortly after the birth of their youngest, Flo started her own cleaning company with a partner and ran the business successfully for approximately 30 years cleaning many businesses, offices, and homes throughout Fort Frances and surrounding area. Flo enjoyed curling and bowling and was a member of both the Fort Frances Curling Club and Plaza Lanes for many years. In her later years, Flo volunteered many hours to the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and really enjoyed the volunteer and social time spent with the Ladies. In addition, Flo enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends. When her kids were growing up, Flo was known for her massive family meals. It was not uncommon to have a house full of 20-30 family and friends for a lovely meal she prepared by herself. Flo was a kind, generous and charitable soul. She and her husband created a loving and welcoming home. So much so that the Ogden household was very often the gathering place for her children and their friends. From Bob’s marathon D&D nights to Brent’s “any reason to have a party” parties to Kendra’s slumber parties, the Ogden household was rarely quiet. The doors were rarely locked and it was not uncommon for family and friends to come and go without question. Flo was a caregiver first and foremost to her children. In every situation, Flo put her children first before even her own needs. And they knew it and knew she was there for them no matter what. When tragedy struck and her son Brent was rendered a quadriplegic, Flo didn’t hesitate. She cared for him physically and emotionally. This started her role as a caregiver and she wore this hat often and for several people. She cared for Ken through various health problems and even flew out to B.C. where she spent a summer caring for her ailing sister. Upon return from B.C. Flo continued to care for Ken until the end. After moving to Windsor, Flo continued to enjoy curling, bowling and lawn bowling. She also attempted to turn her daughter’s thumb green. When it didn’t work, she enjoyed doing the gardening herself. When her health issues started, Flo was no longer able to participate in the activities she had previously. But that was ok because her youngest grandchild was around to keep her busy. Flo adored Keeleigh and “Amma” spent countless hours playing, cuddling and reading to her granddaughter. They had a bond like no other. Flo was predeceased by her son Brent, her husband Ken, and her siblings Dorothy, Art, Reuben, Hazel, Ronnie, Poncho, Lucille, and Marilyn. Flo leaves behind her son Bob of Winnipeg, Manitoba and his daughter Mykayla Loutchan of Morden, Manitoba, daughter Kendra and her husband Mike Dupuis and their daughter Keeleigh of Windsor, Ontario, “adopted son” Ken Matthews and his wife Sylvie, and their children, Chanelle, Eric and Lily of Winnipeg, Manitoba, her sister Delores and her husband Orville Eyolfson of Bear Pass, Ontario, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family. Honourary pallbearers are all the Legion Ladies Flo worked with, Joanne Hyatt and Louise Erb. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcomed for memorial visitation at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Road East 519-253-7234 on Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rick Hansen Foundation for Spinal Cord Research.