Avis de décès de Florence-Mary Kohler

GORHAM -- Florence Mary Kohler of Gorham House in Gorham died peacefully on Jan. 14, 2011, after a brief illness. She was 99. Florence was born in Richmond Hill, Queens borough, New York City, on May 22, 1911. Florence attended public schools in Richmond Hill and Wright's Business College following high school graduation. She met her husband, Frederick Hermann Kohler, on a church outing while still in high school. They were married on Nov. 18, 1933, and remained so for 71 years, until Frederick's death in 2004. Floss, as she was known by friends, was a devoted wife and mother. She provided a warm and loving home for her husband and children, Fred of Belgrade and Carolyn of Wayzata, Minn. She leaves a large family, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Son Fred and wife Linda reside in Belgrade. Fred has four children. They are Suzanne May Kohler and daughter Keisha Beasley; Paul Frederick Kohler, wife Sue and children Mathew and Kaitlyn; Peter Charles Kohler, wife Kayla and children Sara, Ryan and Mackenzie; and Sally Margaret (Kohler) Batchelder, husband James and children Adrienne, James and Alexander. Daughter Carolyn and her husband, Joseph Friedberg, reside in Wayzata, Minn. They have two children, Michael Friedberg, wife Caroline and son Murray; and Andrea (Friedberg) Cohen, husband Marcus and two children, Sydney and Jack. In addition, Florence has three great-grandchildren and many stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren who will miss her. Fred and Florence enjoyed the state of Maine since they first traveled here in 1945. They vacationed at Crystal Spring Camps on Great Pond. They purchased property on Great Pond and lived there for several years. In addition, they traveled this country and Europe extensively. Floss was an accomplished musician who played piano and accordion at many gatherings of friends from around the lakes, Waterville and Augusta. She was a deaconess in the Methodist Church in Wilton, Conn., and taught Sunday school and attended Bible study groups wherever she lived. Floss has resided at the Gorham House for the last 12 years. She befriended everyone and was well cared for by the staff. We are truly grateful to them. Floss will be remembered for her love of children and the kind and generous spirit that she showed to all who knew her. We will miss her gentleness and the sweet concern and love that she had for all of us. Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m. at Union Methodist Church, Spring Street, Belgrade Lakes. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Scholarship Fund at Camp Mechuwana, P.O. Box 277, Winthrop, ME 04364, in memory of Florence M. Kohler.