Florence Marie (Lawrence) Thomas, 99, of Schererville, Indiana, died on Monday, January 6, 2020, at St. Margaret Hospital in Dyer, Indiana, twenty-seven years to the day of the death of her husband Vernon Edward Thomas.
Florence was born in Hammond, Indiana, on September 11, 1920, to Watson B. and Leona (Peyton) Lawrence. She married Vernon Thomas in Lake County, Indiana, on March 8, 1939.
Florence grew up in Hammond and was a long-time resident of Griffith moving only very recently to Schererville for full-time care at Clarendale Senior Housing.
Throughout her life, she worked both in and out of her home. She raised 3 daughters. She also sold cosmetics at Minas Department Store, was a clerk at Riberdy's drug store in Griffith, a secretary for the Griffith School Board, worked at Levin Cleaners in Hammond and Evan's Oil in Griffith.
She enjoyed hanging out with her friends in a bowling league. She was a member of the Wesleyan Church in Merrillville, and later was a member of the Methodist Church in Griffith. She had a gentle, caring manner that put people at ease. An avid conversationalist, she enjoyed small talk and would gladly carry on a conversation.
Her hobbies included crocheting (especially afghans) and embroidering. She enjoyed playing card and board games, but she is most remembered for her wicked abilities as a Scrabble player extraordinaire. Florence had a great command of the English language, collecting odd and seldom-used words and definitions to be employed at exactly the right time on the Scrabble Board making her exceedingly difficult to defeat.
Florence was well read and very curious about the world beyond her town. Although she did not travel much, she could discuss the specifics of famous cities and landmarks with those who had visited in such detail that it was nearly impossible to believe that she had not visited those places herself. She had a keen memory and an eye for detail. She enjoyed chatting with those who had traveled or done interesting things, and she always wanted to hear a good travel story.
Florence loved to cook for her family and friends. Among her many delicious recipes and scrumptious dishes, her children and grandchildren fondly remember her special potato soup – delicious and filling.
Florence is survived by her three daughters: Bonnie Tucker of Morgantown, Indiana, Sharon (Ron) Meyers of Schererville, Indiana, and Deborah Rico of Chicago, Illinois, along with five grandchildren: Craig Tucker, Julee Kistler, Jennifer Meyers Sullivan, Jason Rico, and Tracey Rico, and several great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, her siblings Lillian (Lawrence) Kutscher, Leo Rounds, Beryl Rounds, and Christina (Rounds) Hoffman, and her grandson Allen Tucker.
Florence's remains were cremated, and a private family memorial will he had to scatter her ashes at Woodland Lake in Morgan County, Indiana, at a later date.
Florence Marie (Lawrence) Thomas, 99, of Schererville, Indiana, died on Monday, January 6, 2020, at St. Margaret Hospital in Dyer, Indiana, twenty-seven years to the day of the death of her husband Vernon Edward Thomas.
Florence was born in Hammond, Indiana, on September 11, 1920, to Watson B. and Leona (Peyton) Lawrence. She married Vernon Thomas in Lake County, Indiana, on March 8, 1939.
Florence grew up in Hammond and was a long-time resident of Griffith moving only very recently to Schererville for full-time care at Clarendale Senior Housing.
Throughout her life, she worked both in and out of her home. She raised 3 daughters. She also sold cosmetics at Minas Department Store, was a clerk at Riberdy's drug store in Griffith, a secretary for the Griffith School Board, worked at Levin Cleaners in Hammond and Evan's Oil in Griffith.
She enjoyed hanging out with her friends in a bowling league. She was a member of the Wesleyan Church in Merrillville, and later was a member of the Methodist Church in Griffith. She had a gentle, caring manner that put people at ease. An avid conversationalist, she enjoyed small talk and would gladly carry on a conversation.
Her hobbies included crocheting (especially afghans) and embroidering. She enjoyed playing card and board games, but she is most remembered for her wicked abilities as a Scrabble player extraordinaire. Florence had a great command of the English language, collecting odd and seldom-used words and definitions to be employed at exactly the right time on the Scrabble Board making her exceedingly difficult to defeat.
Florence was well read and very curious about the world beyond her town. Although she did not travel much, she could discuss the specifics of famous cities and landmarks with those who had visited in such detail that it was nearly impossible to believe that she had not visited those places herself. She had a keen memory and an eye for detail. She enjoyed chatting with those who had traveled or done interesting things, and she always wanted to hear a good travel story.
Florence loved to cook for her family and friends. Among her many delicious recipes and scrumptious dishes, her children and grandchildren fondly remember her special potato soup – delicious and filling.
Florence is survived by her three daughters: Bonnie Tucker of Morgantown, Indiana, Sharon (Ron) Meyers of Schererville, Indiana, and Deborah Rico of Chicago, Illinois, along with five grandchildren: Craig Tucker, Julee Kistler, Jennifer Meyers Sullivan, Jason Rico, and Tracey Rico, and several great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, her siblings Lillian (Lawrence) Kutscher, Leo Rounds, Beryl Rounds, and Christina (Rounds) Hoffman, and her grandson Allen Tucker.
Florence's remains were cremated, and a private family memorial will he had to scatter her ashes at Woodland Lake in Morgan County, Indiana, at a later date.
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