Florence Munuz

Florence Ethel Munuz, 87, died peacefully in her home on September 7, 2024. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Florence was a long-time Wilmette resident who fully embraced the Chicago area as her adopted home for more than 50 years.

Descending from a long line of teachers, Florence spent her professional career as an educator, following her mother Ida in the Philadelphia school district. With the encouragement and mentorship of long-time friend and companion Biljana Simsic, Florence relocated to Chicago and received her Masters of Arts from the University of Chicago, before joining Oakton College as a professor from 1977 until her retirement in 2002.

In her more than 20-year career, she distinguished herself in the field of early education and received numerous awards for her work including being named a Fulbright Scholar and a recipient of the Illinois Lifetime Achievement award from the City of Evanston, IL. Florence mentored countless students, many of whom she stayed in close touch long after she retired.

Most importantly, Florence was a devoted mother to her son Erol and his wife Janet of Massachusetts and a hopelessly doting grandmother to her grandchildren Anna and Evan. She also leaves behind a group of close friends who played a central and vital part of her life.

Florence loved to travel, was a great supporter of the arts, maintained a life-long fascination with volcanoes, devoured English television mysteries and Jeopardy, and had a particular weakness for ginger snaps, ideally over a a long conversation with her close group of friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Friday, Sept. 13, at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091. Funeral service will be held 11am on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (www.luriechildrens.org). For info: 847-251-8200