Florrie May (White) Pennell, daughter of Delphine and Herbert White, was born in Ochre Pit Cove May 9, 1920. The eldest in a family of six, she grew up in the Cove and lived there all of her younger years (until she was 44). She remembers the fun and sense of community living in a small settlement. In those days while you went to school in the Cove, you had to go to Western Bay to write the public exams. Florrie remembers writing those exams and graduating with her Grade 11 diploma.
On November 11, 1944, she married the only man in her life, Harold Pennell. The whole community came to the wedding. Harold was a carpenter and in 1964, he and Florrie moved to St. John’s. They decided it was best to keep their home in the Cove and rent as they moved around to find work. Their first residence and jobs were at Government House, a time she remembers fondly.
“I remember the first year I worked side by side with the men. I did whatever jobs needed to be done.”
They had a couple of other work related moves within St. John’s in those first years. Then in 1979 Harold suffered from a heart attack and after heart surgery in 1980, they decided to move back to their home in Ochre Pit Cove during the summer months. During the winter (October to April) they lived with their daughter, Linda, and her family. Sadly, Harold died in November 1985.
Until the last month or so, you’d find Florrie in church on Sunday mornings and she never missed a UCW meeting and all the special events.
“When I was growing up our house was right next door to the church. I was only a teenager when my sister-in-law Ida, who was more like a sister to me, convinced me to go to a UCW meeting one evening. I’ve been going ever since. We didn’t have a church hall or special building for meetings back then. The women in the community would take turns holding meetings in each other’s homes.
Living with Linda is good but there’s nothing better than living in my own home. While I’ve been gone for a long time, Ochre Pit Cove is still home to me. I may forget things every now and then, but let me walk into the old house and I remember everything as it used to be.”
Florrie also loves to read, particularly books about Newfoundland. Her favourite author was always Earl Pilgrim. She’s read everything he ever published.
WOW! What a beautiful story you have accomplished here Beulah! I felt like I was there with you as I read. Such a humble & beautiful lady with such a rich life in her community who had touched so many people!
Florie always had a smile on her face each time I’ve seen her. Both Florie and her husband Harold were good friends of my mother and father in law, Edie and Winston Parsons. Great memories for sure. Bless your heart Florie.
A wonderful article about a wonderful woman. My family and I have known and loved Florrie for many years.Florrie and my mom were good friends and when they weren’t able to visit as they became older they talked on the phone every day, trying to solve the problems of the world,as they said. It was interesting to hear their stories of ” the good old days”. I pray Florrie will continue to be blessed with good health and we will continue to be blessed by her great smile.
Love,
Keith and Joan Welsh and family.
I really enjoyed reading about Florrie’s life. She is a very interesting and determined woman!