Florence Robinson Fordham

She was the second of two daughters, born in Rumford on July 11, 1924, to Carroll and Emily (Sawyer) Robinson of Peru. Growing up in a small rural Maine town, she developed a strong work ethic, the value of family ties, and a profound love of animals. After attending elementary school in Peru, she and her sister went to Leavitt Institute in Turner, where they both graduated in 1942. While her sister had an honor speaking part, Florence was known for her prowess on the basketball court and softball field.

Two months after graduation, Flo got a call from Ken saying that he was granted a three-day liberty, and for her to come to Washington, D.C., so they could get married. On Aug. 1, 1942, Flo, her sister, and a cousin of theirs took the train to Elkton, Md., to meet up with her handsome Georgia-born sailor, Kenneth Fordham, to get married. Their marriage was quite the adventure, and they lived in many different places because of Ken's Navy career, including two years in Stockholm, Sweden. Flo was always ready to get to the next place, but always anxious to get back to Maine.

Upon Ken's retirement from the U.S. Navy, they settled in North Yarmouth, and remained there ever since. Having brought a boxer dog back from Sweden with them, they started raising these pure-breds and joined the American Kennel Club where they showed the dogs for many years. Her zany sense of humor and her unusual thumb whistle were legendary at dog shows, at Maine Mariner hockey games and everywhere else she happened to be.

When the traveling got to be more than they wanted to deal with, they switched gears and converted the breeding kennel into a boarding kennel with the name Car-Way Kennels, named for their two children, Carolyn and Wayne. Her pride and joy, besides her family, was her 1960 MGB convertible sports car, which she named Miss B. She was often seen buzzing about town in it. Flo worked for many years at Sears & Roebuck in Portland, then at Canal National Bank in Portland. She retired when she and Ken started the boarding kennel.

Family was her top priority, and was very proud to be blessed with them all, and to be able to live to see great-grandchildren. Flo was predeceased by an infant daughter, Diana; her sister, Carolyn; her parents; a grandson, David; her husband; and her daughter-in-law, Jaye.

She is survived by her son, Wayne, her daughter, Carolyn Small, son-in-law, George, grandchildren Alan, his wife Laura, their children, Jordan, Elisha, and Darla; Laura Maestas, her husband, Jim, and their daughter, Caroline; Daniel, his wife Tricia, and their children, Emily and Jackson, Kimberly Maestas, her husband, Arnie and their boys, Zachary and Benjamin, and Ryan and his children, Chloe and Mason; granddaughter, Rose Michaud, her husband Roger, their children Bethany, and Sam; and great-granddaughters, Liliana and Sophie.

Arrangements are being made by Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. At her very adamant request, there will be no visiting hours. A brief graveside service will be held on August 26, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery in North Yarmouth. There will be a gathering afterwards at Wayne's house in North Yarmouth.

Florence was a fiercely devoted family person and animal lover. If so desired by friends and family, donations can be made in her memory to Coastal Humane Society 30 Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011