Last October, my mother-in-law passed away having lived an incredible life of 100 years. I had the honor of delivering her eulogy and hard as such things are, I managed to get through it. It seems fitting that her life be remembered here so those who could not attend and those who appreciate the content of such writing may understand who Florence Stout was.
“How does one summarize a life lasting 100 years? I can only start be recalling the qualities that made Flo so special in our lives.
She acquired many titles over the years: wife, mother, grandmother and most recently great grandmother.She was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. That’s what I am most grateful for, the influence she was able to have on our two children. Michele and Charlie were so lucky to have two grandmothers growing up. Nana Flo and Nana Mae, as they called them, were their best friends and playmates.
And while my mother passed away 25 years ago, Nana Flo filled her shoes with more time and love. Michele and Charlie spent all of their days during their childhood at their Nana Flo’s house. Later on, Nana would come to our house and greet them with snacks after school everyday. She never missed a school concert or graduation, and even made the trip to Buffalo in 2016 at the age of 95 to see Michele graduate from medical school. In so many ways my children are who they are today because of who she was. She taught them the importance of kindness, of generosity and of doing their best at everything they tried.
A year ago on October 30th, Nana Flo became Great Nana Flo. She was able to hold her first great grandchild, Emilia Rose Looney, with a smile that lit up the room. She and Emy shared the same bright blue eyes and radiant smiles.
Today, my family looks back at a remarkable life so much of which was spent loving us and our children. From weekly bowling tournaments and school activities to attending Siena Basketball games, her zest for life was inspiring.
I have to tell you how much my wife Patty did for her mother during this illness. No one was more loving, patient and devoted. Again, qualities instilled by her mother. Before her death, she told Patty “I love you, I love you. Thank you for all that you do for me. I will never forget you.” I’d also like to thank our two children whose love and support helped us to manage this illness.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the love story that Flo and her husband Leo shared. She told us the story of how Leo fell in love with her at Friehoffer’s Bakery where they worked together after he came home from WWII countless times. We always laughed at her stories of how she played “hard to get” with him while they were dating, but Leo never up; he knew she was worth it. Although her mind may have faded in some ways throughout the years, she never forgot a single detail of those stories. She always said, “I had a good husband.”
We know Florence was escorted to heaven by Leo. We know this because Flo told us about a recent dream, recalling her deceased daughter Michele telling her “Daddy is writing you a letter and is coming to get you Sunday.”
Three Sunday’s later, Leo arrived at 520 in the afternoon. He took her home after a 24 year absence in Heaven. Rest in peace Nana Flo and thank you for all you did for us.”
