Black, Florence Ann

Florence Ann Black peacefully passed on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at her home in Oaknoll Retirement Residence. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, April 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Iowa City, with Father John Spiegel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, April 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City, with a rosary at 4 p.m. Private family burial service will be held at St. Michael's Cemetery in Holbrook.

Florence was born May 7, 1926, in rural Iowa County, the sixth of eight children born to John and Mary (McCarty) Black. She was educated in the rural schools of Iowa County and graduated valedictorian of Parnell High School. She attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Coe College in Cedar Rapids and the University of Iowa, culminating in the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees.

Florence taught all grades in rural Iowa County schools for 17 years, often living with the families of students. She taught third grade in Williamsburg and in Iowa City elementary schools for 34 years. Florence let it be known she “never got out of the third grade and never wanted to!” She retired in 1995 from Robert Lucas Elementary School after a 51-year teaching career.

Florence had a great love of science, particularly geology, and received several government grants to take advanced science courses. During a college field trip Florence found and rescued a rare index fossil (a hexagon aria colony) in an area being prepared for the construction of the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo. She also devised and constructed a rock key, a tool to assist in the identification of rocks, and authored an article describing the construction and use of the rock key for utilization by classroom teachers.

A resident of Parnell for 43 years, she was a member and supporter of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and served for several years on the Parnell City Council. Florence provided 22 years of loving care in her home for her father, John, and looked after her sister, Helen, during Helen's illnesses.

Florence relocated to Iowa City and became a member of the Oaknoll Retirement Residence family in 2001. She greatly enjoyed the many activities available at Oaknoll and plunged heart and soul into a very active social life. From Scrabble games to exercise classes (she took treats, of course) to the Saturday writing class, she truly enjoyed the many friends she made at Oaknoll. Especially dear to her heart was the “first floor gang.”

Florence maintained her membership in the Iowa Retired Teachers' Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and the “retired Lucas lovelies” and looked forward to their social gatherings. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and baked for the church-sponsored Iowa City Free Lunch Program.

Three siblings survive Florence: Joseph Andrew (Madonna) Black of Williamsburg, Sister Mary Jean Margaret (Dorothy) Black BVM of Mount Carmel in Dubuque and Harold “Jerry” (Jane) Black of Iowa City; and many treasured nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded to Heaven by her parents; and sisters, Sister Mary Joanita (Agnes) Black BVM, Helen Marie Black and two infant sisters, Kathleen and Margaret Black.

Florence will be greatly missed and dearly remembered for so many, many reasons, including never missing a birthday or anniversary, baking her heart out for family and friends, whipping up her famous potato salad and being kind, unassuming, patient and faithful to her family, friends, and The Lord.

Florence and her family extend gratitude to the Oaknoll staff that provided her with excellent care and loving support, to Iowa City Hospice who enriched her life and to her many caregivers at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, including doctors Charles R. Clark, Rebecca Hegeman, Teresa Brennan and especially Helena Laroche.

In lieu of flowers, Florence's memorial wishes are to the Regina Education Fund, Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation or the Oaknoll Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com

Published April 21, 2012 in The Gazette