the late Charlie Barker and Helen Argo Barker of Milton, Delaware. She had one brother, the late
Clarence J. Barker, also of Milton Delaware. Days spent on Broadkill Beach, in a bungalow built by her
Dad, were some of her favorite days and provided many entertaining stories.
She met and married her late husband, Lt. Colonel Donald R. Tefft at Fort Lewis in Delaware during
World War II and they traveled together throughout the world and through life’s ups and downs for 47
years.
She is survived by her children: Robert Tefft of Sutton, MA and wife Diane; Richard Tefft of Brewster, MA
and wife Ann; and Edward Tefft of Hamilton, MA and wife Cynthia. Grandchildren include: David and
Amanda Tefft of East Brookfield, MA; Rachel Tefft of Seattle Washington; Elizabeth and Scott Weissman
of Brewster, MA; John and Ashley Tefft of Berwick, Maine; Matthew and Erin Tefft of Topsfield, MA;
Joseph Tefft of Brewster, MA; and Lauren Tefft of Charlestown, MA. She is survived by several great
grandchildren: William, Timothy, Leo, Vivian, Grace, and Jackson.
Florence loved life and lived each day to the fullest. She was a homemaker, a devoted wife, and
cherished mother. She was an accomplished artist, loved gardening, and spending time on the beaches
of Cape Cod and Naples, Florida. She shared her homemade baked cookies with all those she called
friend. That was a lot of baking and a ton of cookies. She was admired and loved by many and
attributed her long life to peanut butter, graham crackers, and ice cream, as well as a good long walk
every day at dawn. She had only one wish as she was growing older and it was; “I only wish I were
younger, so I could live longer.” She was stubborn, determined, frugal, and never took anything for
granted. She witnessed a lot in almost a century, some good and some not so good, but always chose to
concentrate on the positive. She was blessed with good health, a wonderful family, good friends and so
many happy years of life and love. May God bless her and keep her until we all meet again.
We have so many people to thank who have helped us through Florence’s last years. We thank the
nurses and doctors at the Cape Cod Hospital in the ER and on the floors. We thank the dedicated EMT’s
in Brewster and Harwich who transported her all too frequently to the hospital. We thank the
wonderful Administrative staff, the nurses, and aides at Maplewood, Wingate, and Hospice for all their
constant care and support. We also wish to thank her home health aides. You are like the angels that
walk the earth, lovingly caring for others. Thank you wholeheartedly for everything.
Services will be private as the family gathers to celebrate her life. Florence will be buried at the National
Cemetery in Bourne beside her late husband Don. In lieu of flowers, the family asks, if you so choose, to
make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Cape Cod.
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