Florence "Lolly" Frances (Blank) Shulist

Florence “Lolly” Shulist

March 4, 1930 – April 24, 2016

Florence Shulist – called “Lolly” since childhood because her elder sister could not pronounce the name – lived a rich and generous life, loving and supporting her community and family.

Lolly’s father died when she was 3 years old, and as a result her mother started a small business in Wilno. Although she had a strong desire to become a teacher, Lolly was only allowed to stay in school until Grade 8, because she had to help operate the family business. Despite this, she placed a strong value on education. When the school opened in Wilno, she was one of the original members of the board of directors. She ultimately achieved her goal of receiving a high school diploma in the 1970s. She then took a job in admitting at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, where she worked until her retirement in 1990. Because she felt it was important to do her job well, she took additional courses in medical terminology. She always encouraged her children to appreciate education, even if it required hard work and sacrifice, and all of her children pursued higher education.

She married Joe Shulist in 1950, and together they had seven children. Joe worked as a blaster in the Faraday Mines in Bancroft, and, as a result of his work, he died of lung cancer in 1961. Lolly faced great difficulties following­ his death, especially as she was turned down for workers’ compensation to support her and the family. In addition to piecing together any work that she could find – driving a school bus, working in the municipal hall, walking door to door taking census information, and any other odd jobs that appeared – she continued to fight until she finally received the compensation she deserved. This experience made Lolly a passionate advocate for workers’ rights.

Lolly was well known in the Wilno community as a tireless volunteer. Since her father and husband both served in the Canadian Armed Forces – the former in WWI and the latter in WWII— she became a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary. She also worked with the Opeongo Seniors’ Club. More than anything else, however, Lolly gave her time to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilno. She served as the mentor and guide as each new priest took over in the parish, kept the finances and records of the church, played the organ, cleaned the church, helped at the chicken supper – making gravy became her specialty – and participated in the Rosary Society. Friends and community members frequently turned to her for support in coordinating and organizing large events, as she was well known for her efficiency and leadership. She was also known throughout the Valley for visiting the sick, whether in their homes, at the hospital, or at the Valley Manor. Frequently she took soup and her “world famous” homemade pies. Because of her countless hours of service, she was honoured by the Township of Hagarty & Richards as “Senior of the Year” in 1997.

Lolly was proud of the way she ran and kept her house. She designed her own home, and each year, picked a project and took it on to improve her surroundings. She was a prudent financial manager. With 7 small children, she kept an organized, clean environment – arriving in the house, you would find seven sets of shoes laid out in a row. One of the largest projects she undertook was the restoration of the Lorbetskie Homestead on Shrine Hill. In the 1970s, the decision had to be made whether to tear down the building, which had become dangerous and an eyesore, or to do the intensive work required to fix it up. Lolly and her mother, who then owned the property, made the decision to repair the house, which at the time was over 100 years old. It then became a gathering place for extended family, the site of countless celebrations, family holidays, and parties. Located across from the Scenic Lookout on Shrine Hill, that house now stands as part of a picturesque entry point into the village of Wilno.

Lolly’s life revolved primarily around two central forces – her strong Catholic faith, and her love for her family. After her stepfather died, Lolly picked up her widowed mother every Sunday and drove her to church, then brought her home with her for dinner with the family. Saturday nights were devoted to family time with the children, watching Hockey Night in Canada. Long before it was cool to be a Chicago Blackhawks fan, she followed them – her favourite player was Stan Mikita. Her favourite time of year wasn’t your traditional holiday, but preparing for Halloween, always creating outstanding costumes. Her grandchildren remember this playful spirit, as she always found them the best hiding places in games of hide and seek. Lolly loved getting together with friends and family – playing cards and board games, doing jigsaw puzzles, dancing and playing music, and quilting. She gave quilts to each of her godchildren.

The one thing that Lolly never did acquire a taste for was technology, but for Mark Zuckerberg or anyone else who claims they invented the social network, she had an unsurpassed network of friends, and undoubtedly has gotten a lot of “likes”.

Donations in Lolly’s memory may be made to the St. Mary’s Parish Building Fund (St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, 17325 Highway 60, Wilno, Ontario K0J 2N0) or St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (www.sfvhfoundation.com).

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