My Great Aunt Flo
Grandma on the left, my Great Aunt Flo on the right. Aunt Flo’s husband died in 1961, and she spent the rest of her life caring for family. For a cousin, for her parents, and then for my Grandma. When my Grandma died in November of 2016, Aunt Flo asked me, “Who am I going to take care of now?” I told her that those days were behind her, she needed to take care of herself. She spent her final years collecting recipes and going through family treasures. Then in late 2021, she went to a care facility, where she got excellent care and lived near her granddaughter, Debbie, and Debbie’s husband, Paul, who took such excellent care of her. Aunt Flo celebrated her 100th birthday in April, and she left this world today. I am so glad for the wonderful life she had, what a blessing she has always been to our family, for her kind, amazing heart. She will be dearly missed.
35 Comments
Margaret
She sounds like a wonderfully caring person who lived a long and productive life. She has a beautiful smile!
J
Thank you Margaret, yes, she had a good life for sure.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Rest in Peace Aunt Flo. What a treat we gotten to know you through Julie.
Thoughts with you and your family.
J
Thank you Tobia!
Elisabeth
From that photo alone I just know I would have loved spending time with Aunt Flo. Look at those twinkly eyes and welcoming smile.
I’m so sorry for your loss and thanks for telling us more about this treasured member of your family.
Take good care in this time of grief and loss and celebration of a vibrant life.
J
Thank you Elisabeth!
Sarah
May her memory be a blessing.
J
Thank you Sarah!
Michelle G.
I’m sorry for your loss. Such a great smile in the photo! It sounds like she was a wonderful person. ??
J
Thank you Michelle!
Birchie
What a life well lived. This world is a better place for 100 years of Flo.
J
Thank you Birchie!
nance
I remember well all the stories of your Aunt Flo and your visits with her. She deserves a gentle, peaceful rest.
You have so many good memories of her, J. I hope they give you comfort now.
J
Thank you Nance!
ccr in MA
Ah, it’s never easy! She sounds like a wonderful person who lead a very fulfilling life.
J
Thank you!
Ally Bean
A wonderful photo. I’m sorry for your loss yet glad to know you had the chance to know Flo as an adult whose positive influence will stay with you forever.
J
Thank you Ally! Yes, she was an example to us all.
sustainablemum
A beautiful post to a wonderful Great Aunt, thank you for sharing your treasured memories, I hope they stay with you for years to come.
J
Thank you!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I am sorry for your loss! It sounds like Aunt Flo lived a long and wonderful life.
J
Thank you Kyria, yes, she did for sure!
Tierney
What a sweet tribute. She sounds delightful and very loved!
J
Thank you Tierney, yes, she was both of those things.
Ernie
Sorry for your loss. She sounds like such a caring person. RIP. I love this photo.
Fun fact: I, too, had a great Aunt Flo. My maternal grandfather’s sister. She passed away when I was in grade school. I didn ‘t know her very well, but as little kids we always got a kick out of my grandpa’s 5 sisters’ names because they were so old fashioned. (Flo, Gert, Kitty, Marg, and Chloe? I think).
J
Nice! Engie also has a Great Aunt Flo, I think. My Flo’s sisters were Nadyne and Virginia, with Virginia being my grandma. My paternal grandma was Georgia, and I liked that both of my grandmas shared their names with states, though my Grandma Georgia would point out to me that she wasn’t named FOR the state, she was named for her uncle George.
I don’t think of Chloe as an old fashioned name, maybe because I’ve known a few, and my niece is Chloe. Laughing at Gert. VERY old fashioned.
Ernie
You’re right. Chloe is still fairly common. My grandma’s name was Kathryn, but she went by Kay. Her sister’s name was Dorothy, which is not all that common anymore, but Sarah has a daughter named Dorothy. It’s interesting to see what names are popular during different times.
NGS
Your Aunt Flo sounds amazing. I just know that wherever she is, she’s taking care of others!
J
Engie, probably, though I hope that in Heaven everyone can take care of themselves!
Lisa's Yarns
Rest in peace, Aunt Flo. She lived most of her life without her husband – that would be so hard! It sounds like she was an amazing caretaker. My grandma passed away at a similar age. It’s a different kind of sadness when someone of this age passes since they lived a full life and were probably ready to pass away and be reunited with their loved ones (if that was her belief – it was the belief of my grandma which made her passing much easier for her).
J
Thanks Lisa. Yes, like your Grandma, my Great Aunt was looking forward to being reunited with her husband, her sister, etc. It has indeed been a different kind of sadness. After my last few visits, I felt like it was her time. And I’m glad she didn’t suffer.
Daria
Safe journey, aunt Flo, thank you for the light you brought to people’s lives.
Hugs, Julie.
J
Thank you Daria. <3
Maya
I’m so sorry for your loss, J. Goosebumps from “Who am I going to take care of now?” What a life of service and love… I daresay I can see all of that goodness reflected in the beautiful faces and smiles in your header photo.
And I thank you for sharing your Aunt Flo’s awesomeness with me today.
J
Thank you Maya!