Florence Duncan

DUNCAN, Florence Jennette, Passed away peacefully at Royal Gardens, Peterborough, on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at the age of 94. Florence Jeannette Duncan was the daughter of the late Joseph and Christena Duncan (Goodfellow) of Innisifil. Pre-deceased by her brother, Jack Duncan, sisters Jean Forsyth and Margaret Saunders, and niece Shirley Blackwell. Remembered fondly by her nephews, Richard Saunders (Diane), Robert Saunders (Laura), and niece Louise (Dennis) Misurka as well as great-nieces Christena (Corey), Melanie (Mark), Amy (Doug), Shannon (Graham) and their children as well as great-nephews Andrew and Thomas. Florence's family (Duncan's and Goodfellows) were pioneers in the 7th line lot 18 of Innisfil and settled Burnhill farm there in 1832. Florence, with her brother John and sisters Margaret and Jean, grew up on the 100-acre 7th Line Innisfil farm, Burnhill, (North 1/2 Lot 18, Con. 7) that their great-grandfather William Duncan from Scotland had been granted in 1832 and then cleared the land. About 10 years earlier William had come with his family to Lanark Co., Upper Canada, then migrated to Innisfil with a group of other Scottish families, known as the Dalhousie Settlers. Burnhill had been passed down to Florences father Joseph from his father James and brother John, with some of his relatives also living in Innisfil. The family of Florences mother Christena Mae Goodfellow were also early Scottish settlers who lived across the road from Burnhill. While Florence and her siblings grew up, the mixed farming at Burnhill was carried out with plowing done with horses and no electricity in the house. Sleighs were used during the winter for transportation. They went to the nearby 1-room school, Nantyr, where Florence recalled the annual 'Arbor Day' on May 1st when students brought from home cloths and buckets to wash desks, windows, blackboards, and boys raked the grounds. Then in the afternoon they had the choice of going fishing in the creek down the 7th Line or picking mayflowers in the woods. When Joseph Duncan died in 1956, Florences brother John inherited the farm, continuing mixed farming, now with a tractor to help deal with the stony ground, installing electricity, and later raising cattle. Florence came from Toronto to spend most weekends on the farm. John sold Burnhill in 2005. After 173 years, he and Florence were the last Duncans to live at Burnhill. Friends may call at the INNISFIL FUNERAL HOME (7910 Yonge St., Stroud) on Saturday, June 24th, 2017 from 12 noon until the time of service at 2:00p.m. Interment to follow at Sixth Line Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.innisfilfuneralhome.ca
Visitation
Saturday, June 24th, from 12p.m. - 2.p.m.
Service
2:00p.m. on Saturday, June 24th, 2017.
BURIAL / CREMATION
Burial st Sixth Line Cemetery Innisfil, following the funeral service.