STEVENS (Hubley), Florence MacKenzie

It is with great sadness that the family of Florence MacKenzie Stevens (Hubley), RN., 90, of Second Peninsula, announce her passing on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, after a brief stay in Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. Born in Bear River, she was daughter of the late James Douglas and Margaret (Ross) Hubley.

Florence grew up in Bridgewater, graduating from Bridgewater High School in 1951, She went on to graduate from the Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in Montreal in 1955 and Dalhousie University’s Public Health School of Nursing in 1958. She started her nursing career in Montreal, before returning to Nova Scotia to work in Public Health in Lunenburg County.

While raising a family, she worked in three family-owned businesses, including her own lumber company, Mermaid Dock Sales, which specialized in exotic hardwoods. She was also very active in the community, serving as a member of the social committee with the Lunenburg Art Gallery, the Library Committee at Centre Consolidated School, as well as being instrumental in developing the sexual education program in the late 1970s at Centre Consolidated. She served as a board member of the South Shore Residential Tenancies Board from 1978 to 1988, and as a member of the board and Vice Chairman of the Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation of Nova Scotia from 1983 to 1990. Florence was never afraid or intimidated about speaking up on important issues. Throughout her lifetime, she was an advocate for many whose voices were not being heard.

In the mid 1980s, she took a refresher course at Dalhousie University and returned to nursing at the Veterans Unit at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital, where she worked for 15 years. She often referred to her years there as the highlight of her career.

Family, friends, her dogs and home, care of the land, the environment, and the great outdoors were all important to Florence. Bachman’s Beach was an integral part of her life. This included many hours swimming and beachcombing with her children and grandchildren when they were young and in her golden years, camaraderie and laughter with “the Beach Girls”.

Florence is survived by her children, Anne Stevens, (Bill Lutwick), Indian Point, David Stevens, Mader’s Cove, Mora Stevens, Halifax; grandchildren, Robin Lutwick (Emily Hughes-Ryan), Halifax, Alexia Stevens, Halifax; step-grandson, David Baines (Patricia), NL; brother, David (Sue) Hubley, Truro; and former spouse Murray Stevens, as well as step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, life long friends, Miriam MacIntosh, Green Bay, Edith and Dr. Al Burry, Kentville.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Douglas (Katie) Hubley, ON.

The family would like to thank the home support workers with Lunenburg County Home Care, Dr. John Jenkins and the team at the Medical/ Emergency Unit at the Fisheries Memorial Hospital, for their outstanding professional, dedicated and compassionate care.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home of Lunenburg. In keeping with Florence’s wishes, there will be no public memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SHAID, Lunenburg County Home Care or the Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital.

www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca