Obituary of Florence Paulson

Florence passed away peacefully at the Peace River Regional Hospital at the age of 99 years. She was born in Olds, Alberta; educated in Stettler and graduated from the Camrose Teacher Training College where she met her husband Clifford T Paulson. They were married in Calgary in 1930 and together attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills. They started the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Innisfail where Philip was born. In 1933 Florence and Clifford were accepted by the China Inland Mission (CIM) as missionaries to China. Elaine, Keith and Blake were born in China. Because of the Japanese occupation Florence and Clifford and her three China-born children returned to Alberta. Clifford had arranged for the Christian burial of the Doolittle raiders (the first American bombing attack on Japan) and Phillip was interned at Weihsien Concentration Camp after the Japanese army captured Chefoo Boarding School where he was a student. After liberation Philip joined the family in Three Hills where Clifford taught at the Prairie Bible Institute. Lucille, Duane and Marguerite were born in Three Hills. In 1953 Florence and Clifford set up a mission home in Saskatoon for Western Canada missionaries of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF formerly CIM) missionaries on furlough. Clifford became the Regional Secretary of OMF. In 1968 they retired to Calgary. Florence was predeceased by Clifford in 1986. She is lovingly remembered by her seven children: Philip of Vancouver; Elaine (Bob Stianson) of Sherwood Park; Keith (Mary) of Fort Macleod; Blake (Shirley) of Saskatoon, Lucille (John Gishler), Duane (Loris) of Calgary and Marguerite of Peace River; ninteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grand children. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church (1311 – 4th Street S.W.) on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Florence?s son-in-law, The Rev. John Gishler, Presiding. Graveside Service to follow at Mountainview Memorial Gardens. “Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant” In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial tributes go to the Overseas Missionary Fellowship International Canada, Building 21, 5155 Spectrum, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5A1 In living memory of Florence Paulson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.