03/20/2026
With profound love and deep sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Florence “Flo” (Queenie) Dearing (Adams), who made her brief journey to be with Bill, as their daughters held her hands at the Hanover and District Hospital on March 18th.
Flo (Queenie), 91 years old, was a devoted Spouse, Mom, Nana, sister, and friend whose life was rooted in love, strength, and generosity. She was the heart of our family—a steady, caring presence who gave endlessly of herself and made everyone around her feel heard.
Daughters Julia Dearing-Vollett (Peter) of Toronto and Alison Dearing Lahn of Niagara Region, grandchildren Joshua Lahn, Adam Vollett, Aiden Lahn and Nicole Vollett will treasure the memories of her, and will miss her stories, guidance and especially her laughter.
Queenie is remembered with love by her siblings David (Heather) Adams, George (Mary) Adams, John (Debbie) Adams, Ernie Adams and Kathy (Bernie) Barbeau as well as her many nieces, nephews and their families.
Queenie was predeceased by her much loved and missed husband William "Bill" Dearing, Parents Robert and Rose (Crocker) Adams, brothers and sisters-in-law Bob and Lois Adams, Gord and Nancy Adams, Fred and Lynn Adams, Roy and Helen Adams and Nadine Adams, niece Carol, nephew Robert, and great-niece Desiree. We take comfort in imagining her reunited with them.
Born in Parry Sound, Flo (Queenie) moved to Toronto to work with Bell Canada as an Operator then Supervisor for two decades. Flo (Queenie) met Bill at a YMCA Dance and began a love story that saw them wed in 1958 and truly never ended. Flo (Queenie) moved to Hanover, as Bill started his teaching career in 1971. Unable to transfer her career, Flo (Queenie) was a full time Mom and a part-time entrepreneur with Avon and Tupperware. "Mrs. Dearing" also provided extraordinary care to many children. Always wanting to stay busy, Flo (Queenie) worked at Mac's Milk followed by Zellers where she worked in the Men's Department for several years before embracing new adventures alongside Bill in their retirement.
Flo (Queenie) was active in Hanover, volunteering for Big Brothers / Big Sisters for 25 years and was a life-time member of the Hanover and District Hospital Auxiliary. Flo (Queenie) was devoted to supporting the Anglican Church in each community, more recently welcomed by Trinity Anglican Church in Durham after the closing of St. James in Hanover.
Flo (Queenie) had a deep love of gardening and was well known for the care and pride she poured into it. There was always space for one more flowering plant. Previously active with skating, cross-country skiing, swimming and aqua fit, recently Flo (Queenie) enjoyed going on jaunts with friends and family, a cuppa tea with a dessert on the side, old shows, reading, long telephone chats and most of all, precious time with her grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover, on Sunday, March 22, 2026 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church in Durham, Ontario on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:00 am. Family and friends are then invited to gather, share memories, and honor a life so beautifully lived. Cremation has taken place and private family internment will be held at a later date in Parry Sound where she and Bill will be laid to rest at Foley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, it was Flo's (Queenie) wish that donations be made to Operation Smile Canada. Her daughters’ welcome written stories of memories of their mom which can be provided to Mighton Funeral Home (www.mightonfuneralhome.ca)
Mom will be remembered for her kindness, honesty, independence and the way she showed up for the people she loved—always offering a helping hand - always present. We are thankful to all those who lent a hand to Mom these last few years. Though our hearts are breaking, we find peace in knowing she achieved her goal of living at home and that she is dancing with Bill once again. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever with us.