Florence Elizabeth McBride

Florence Elizabeth McBride, 97, a resident of Oakland Park, Florida for more than 50 years, passed away on October 9, 2019 at Manor Pines Convalescent Center in Wilton Manors, Florida. Florence, nicknamed “Bebe,” was born on July 5, 1922 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Frank Taucher and Mary Margaret O’Hara Taucher.

After she graduated from Union High School in Burgettstown, Florence helped to support her family by working at the McBride family business, the Jefferson Construction Co. There she met her future husband, Robert C. (Bob) McBride. She became a hard-working, stay-at-home mom. An avid reader, Florence often took her children to the local library. She volunteered with the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. In the summertime, they went to the community swimming pool and Little League games.

After moving to Oakland Park in 1965, Florence worked for the City of Ft. Lauderdale until her retirement in 1982. She enjoyed spending time with family, friends and co-workers in Florida, and visiting family in Pennsylvania. Florence and Bob spent a few years making new friends in Ocala, Florida before returning to Oakland Park.

A talented athlete, Florence loved playing basketball with her friends. Later, she played yard sports, including badminton and croquet, with her children and with the extended family at annual picnics celebrating both the Fourth of July and her birthday.

In Florida, Florence became an accomplished golfer. Besides spending weekends on the golf course, she and Bob enjoyed dining and dancing to the tunes of big bands. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and its women’s organization in Burgettstown, and a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Florence is survived by her son, William C. McBride and his wife Dolores Saladino McBride, daughter Mary Forlenza and her husband Randy Forlenza, grandchildren Ben (and wife Laura) McBride and Patrick McBride, and brothers Ray and Eugene Taucher. She was preceded in death by Bob, her husband for 52 years, her brother Louis Taucher and sister Kathryn Wolfe.

A funeral mass is planned at St. Henry’s Catholic Church (1500 S. Andrews Ave, Pompano Beach, Florida 33069) at 11:00am on November 11, 2019, followed by interment at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery (1500 South SR 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068).

The family extends their gratitude to Manor Pines Convalescent Center and Heartland Hospice for the excellent nursing and hospice care they provided.

Those wanting to remember Florence in a special way can make a donation in her memory to a charity of their choice.