Obituaries

The beautiful soul of Florence “Flo" Boswell left us on October 30, 2026, at the age of 82. She left this world peacefully, wrapped in the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of quiet generosity, fierce devotion, and a free-spirited warmth that genuinely made the world a better place.

Born in the UK to the late Stephen and Laura Cottam, Florence immigrated to Canada with her family in the early 1950s, settling first in Ontario. Her profound compassion and desire to advocate for others always defined her life. A hippie at heart, her calling to help others was evident not just in her daily life, but in her career—from working as an RNA in hospitals, to shaping public daycare in Ottawa, then moving to Nova Scotia in the early 1980s for her MPA.

Florence loved her family dearly and we will always cherish, and deeply miss, her smile, her sense of humour, her generous spirit, and her love.

Florence is now reunited with her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Jollota, who passed away suddenly in 2022. A kind and gentle soul, Bob was her perfect match. They married in 1993 and shared a beautiful life together. They both enjoyed helping others, the simple pleasures of reading, music, and playing games, as well as a love of the outdoors, whether in the garden, in the woods with their dogs, feeding birds and ducks, or country drives and time by the ocean.

She leaves behind a much-loved family who will carry her light and laughter forward. She is survived by her children, Andrea Boswell and Andrew Boswell (Krissy), and their father Peter Boswell (Judy). She is also survived by her sister Grace Cottam, her brother Barry Cottam (Theresa), niece Thais Cottam, her grandchildren (Zoe, Avery, and Andrew), and their children, as well as Bob’s family, including his sister-in-law Dale Jollota and his sister Lina Henderson, along with several nieces and nephews.

Our family extends our deepest gratitude to the staff and management at Maplestone Enhanced Care. They were truly wonderful, ensuring Florence was compassionately cared for over the last two years.

A Celebration of Two Lives

Friends and family are invited to join us as we come together to celebrate and remember the lives of Florence and Bob. Although their farewells came at different times, we felt it fitting to bring everyone together to honour them both, share memories, and celebrate the lives they lived. Whether you knew them together or separately, we welcome you to join us.

The celebration will be held on Friday, November 20th at 1:30 pm at the Fairbanks Centre at Shubie Park (54 Locks Road, Dartmouth).

For those who wish to honour the memory of Florence and/or Bob, please consider supporting your local SPCA, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia—all causes that reflect their compassionate spirits and love for helping others.