Florence was born in Brooklyn, NY, granddaughter of Italian immigrants and daughter of a construction foreman and a seam-stress in a clothing factory. Her fondest early memories are of good times with extended family all living within a single block of the city.
Unfortunately, she was also born with a genetic eye disease that would eventually make her blind.
By her high school years, Florence could still pursue a favorite activity of roller skating. When she was a sophomore, she was placed in a “sight conservation” class with a teacher who could help with magnified written materials and recorded books.
Also during high school, Florence met a “new light” — her future husband, Tom Kane. A slightly older Irishman, Tom was already in the Air Force. They married after her high school graduation and his discharge from the military.
For a couple of years, Florence served as receptionist for a Wall Street law firm while Tom worked briefly for International Telephone & Telegraph. With the birth of the first of their two daughters, Florence became a dedicated “domestic engineer.”
The family moved to New Jersey in 1963 where Tom earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Fairley Dickinson University. Then he began a career of more than three decades as Town Manager for towns and townships. (A township includes several towns.)
As a newcomer in Lincoln Park, NJ, Florence’s deteriorating vision upset her, and “I didn’t want to talk about it.” But she soon learned to appreciate sincere interest from others. Her “Mom” commitment led her into leader-ship in PTA, Garden Clubs, and active volunteering in the local library for years. Even as her vision faded, she didn’t hesitate to use public transporta-tion to help her be “pretty much involved in my town.”
By the time Tom retired in 1999 their life was complicated by Florence’s worsening eyesight and, by 2015, the beginning of Tom’s failing health.
Much of Florence’s family preceded her and Tom’s 2019 move to NC, including daughter Cynthia, a cousin, and Florence’s mother, brother and his wife. Yet she says she came to TVAB “kicking and screaming,” but found the move “the best thing I ever did.”
After Tom’s death two years ago, she made adjustments – with a little help from family and friends.
Now seeing only a dull light, she uses Braille labels and alphabetical order to manage contents of her closet and pantry. She misses seeing faces, but quickly recognizes people by their voices.
Now to find her, you may have to check the pool, crafts room, or activity venues – and you’ll probably hear her infectious laughter before you see her.
At home, Florence often keeps busy with baking or immersed in her long-time hobby crocheting or knitting, including caps for newborn babies in hospitals. She reserves time for keeping in touch with her family, consisting of seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Florence misses learning to drive “but doesn’t dwell on anything else she missed.” Asked why she so actively “met life head-on”, she responds simply: “It beats the alternative.”
-John Edgerton