Florence Ann Obee
Florence Ann Obee gently passed away while being sung to sweetly and cuddled lovingly on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Born on Long Island, NY on December 3, 1936, raised in Teaneck, NJ and having lived most of her adult life in Philadelphia, PA, Florence was the “Trifecta of Toughness”. She fought long and hard through various terminal illnesses and did not let God take her home until she was certain that her job on Earth was completed.
Upon graduating from Teaneck High School in New Jersey, Florence married the late Henry J. Obee and they began their life together starting out in San Diego, CA. The following year, their first-born child, Steven M. Obee arrived and thus began Florence’s gifted calling to be the Mom and eventually the Nana of the family. Upon moving to Philadelphia, two additional children were born, Robert A. Obee and Katherine Obee Warwick. Florence was the ultimate stay-at-home Mom and the sacrifices she made along the way were simply expressions of love and commitment she had for her family.
As the quintessential caretaker, Florence taught her children and all of those around her, by example, the true spirit of giving when simultaneously taking care of her Husband, Henry and Mother, Dorothea B. Ross, during their illnesses and eventual passing’s. There was never a time that she complained that it was too hard – the work simply had to be done and she was the one to do it.
To satisfy her creative side, Florence worked as a florist in Pennsylvania and again in Arizona when she moved to the desert in 1992.
One of the greatest loves of Florence’s life was her love for her pets along the way. She cherished her dogs, Pal, Bismarck, Bo, Lady, Nala, and Dottie plus her cats, Rosie and Moo Moo. She would angrily comment and correct anyone who thought Pit Bulls were anything other than pure love as demonstrated by Dottie. As sick as Florence was her last week of life, she had Dottie jump up on her bed, so she could feel the absolute adoration this dog had for her Nana.
The undeniably best time of Florence’s life began in 1979 when her first grandchild, Robert C. Obee, was born. This was the day that the Lord had made for Florence and she would often “jokingly” comment that the only reason she had children was to get to the grandchildren! Soon after, Florence’s additional grandchildren were born: Sarah Obee Postle, our Angel Olivia August Warwick, Danielle J. Warwick, Henry J. Warwick, Eleanor J. Warwick and her newest blessing, Great-Grandson, Calvin M. Postle. Upon retirement in 1996, Florence’s favorite job ever was raising her Arizona grandchildren and she worked non-stop to make sure that each of her grandchildren maintained a strong sense of right and wrong and was the unwavering role model of commitment to the family.
Florence was surrounded and honored by her grandchildren on the day that she passed away and it was the absolute best tribute that she could have imagined.
Florence Ann Obee was preceded in death by her parents, Russell N. Ross and Dorothea B. Ross and Granddaughter, Olivia August Warwick. She is survived by her Siblings: Dodi Ross Hoogesteger, Russell & Carol Ross, Wayne & Marie Ross; Her Children: Steve & Denise Obee, Bob & Jeanne Obee and Katherine & Steve Warwick; Her Grandchildren: Rob & A-Rod Obee; Sarah & Greg Postle; Dani Warwick, Henry Warwick, Ella Warwick and Calvin Postle. Also surviving Florence are Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nephews/Nieces, Godchildren and beloved friends and neighbors.
Her Life was Full Because of the Family She Loved Who Also Loved Her in Return.
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Please join us to Celebrate Florence’s life on her 82nd Birthday, December 3, 2018 at a Rosary and Funeral Mass at:
St. George’s Catholic Community, 300 E 16thAvenue in Apache Junction, AZ 85119.
Rosary begins at 10:00 am
Funeral begins at 10:30 am
Lunch and Birthday Cake following Florence’s Funeral
East Coast Funeral and Burial to take place in the Spring as Florence is laid to rest with Henry at Resurrection Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
Some have asked, and if you are interested, donations can be made to:
Arizona Humane Society – www.azhs.org
Hospice of the Valley: www.hov.org