Florence R. - Senior Residence Spotlight
This month's senior residence spotlight focuses on Florence R.
Florence was born in Manhattan, New York and grew up on the lower east side. She was one of two daughters and remembers being very close with her younger sister, Harriet. Her mother was always willing to lend a helping hand to their neighbors. In fact, her mother and grandmother were great sewing operators. They repaired clothing and other items.
Her father was rather strict and he liked things a certain way. On his days off he liked having breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same exact time each day. No matter where they were, they had to be home by 5 p.m. so the family could eat dinner together. If they went out after dinner they had to be back and in bed by 8:30 – 9 p.m. If they didn't make it back in time he’d lean out the window and let out a distinct whistle. She and all her friends knew the whistle and if they heard it they all immediately dispersed.
Sisters Stick Together
Florence and her sister liked hanging out with their friends. They would go out dancing or to the movies. Sometimes they'd even venture out to the parks in the Bronx or taking the ferry out to Staten Island. She recalls hanging out with other girls as they read, knitted or talked in the park. But she enjoyed dancing the most.
After graduating high school, Florence went straight to work. She got a job as a bookkeeper for lithographers in Williamsburg in Brooklyn. They were one of the biggest lithographers on the east coast back then, they made cigar bands and box labels. She did bookkeeping by hand, and then moved over to the bookkeeping machine when they came out. Florence was great with figures and is still as sharp when it comes to numbers today. She worked there for 7 years before she later married.
Marrying Philadelphians
Florence met her first husband, Sam in the Pocono Mountains. They met on the dance floor. She loves to dance and recalls that he was a great dancer. Sam and Florence danced the whole week and although he was a bit older than she, they married. Florence moved to Philadelphia where he lived and worked as a detective.
They had three daughters together, Sheryl, Joyce, and Deborah. The girls never gave them any trouble and she enjoyed raising them. She also cherishes the trip they took to Japan, which was one of her favorites. After 30 years of marriage, Sam passed away. Florence continued living in their home with Deborah, before she married.
Four years later, Florence married her second husband, Robert. The two met after his sister-in-law saw Florence at a wedding and knew she needed to introduce the two. Robert had recently lost his first wife and had five children of his own. He worked in his family’s furniture business as a furniture dealer with his four brothers. This was a business started by his father who came from Europe to open his furniture store. Robert also served in the Navy as a young man. They did a bit of traveling to Canada and also went on a few cruises together. The two were together for 20.5 years before he passed away.
Moving Across Country
Florence’s sister, Harriet, moved to California when her children were still small. She and her husband worked for Florence’s best friend’s husband’s air condition and heating company. Harriet worked in the office routing the men to fix and install air conditioning. She worked for them until she retired at 65, and passed a year later at 66. Florence is still close to Harriet's kids. In fact, she traveled frequently with her niece to England, Italy, and Israel.
After Robert passed away, Harriet sold her house. She too moved to California where her two eldest daughters were living. She has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Florence enjoys getting to spend time with the babies. In addition, she also knits baby blankets, sweaters, and leggings for her grandchildren. She shares she’s leaving a legacy through her knitting.
Making Memories & Having Fun
Today, Florence enjoys playing Mahjong, a game she’s been playing for the last 60 years. She and all her friends learned how to play as young mothers and bought their own sets. Florence enjoys being active with friends. She loved taking trips to New York with friends to see all the new musicals, the last she saw was Jersey Boys.
Florence shares that of all the assisted living communities she's lived at, Renaissance Village Murrieta offers the best food. She loves all the activities that she's able to take part in at this senior residence. Florence also shares she does not feel like she's missed much in life. She's had two wonderful husbands and never had to work or worry. Florence is thankful she's always had what she needs and wants.
