Florence Maryann Petrides

Florence Mary Anne Petrides, 95, of Charlotte, NC passed away on Sunday March 15, 2026. Florence was born on August 11, 1930, in Manhattan, to Florence Bilalides and John Beniades. She lived her early life in New York with a few years in early childhood in Athens Greece. She relocated to Waterloo, Iowa with her then husband Fedon Petrides shortly after getting married in 1959. She never quite lost her New York accent even after living in Iowa for over 50 years. Over the recent years, she lived in Kansas City, Missouri and Charlotte, North Carolina to be close to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Florence Mary was a lifelong learner and supporter of education, particularly for women. She graduated from Shelton College in 1953 in New York and received a Master of Arts in teaching from Columbia University. Later in life, she returned to school and received an associate’s degree in legal assistantship. She had a career in teaching, taking time off to raise her daughter, and returned to teaching for many years as a substitute teacher in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa school system. She was a lifelong member of the American Association for University Women (AAUW) and P.E.O. She always showed pride (and never hesitated to mention) that her daughter “is a doctor” and her granddaughter is “getting her PhD.” She was always actively involved in the community whether with her church, AAUW, or P.E.O. She was an accomplished pianist, an expert in movie trivia and skilled in embroidery and needlepoint. In her later years she liked to be called “Flo” and was always entertaining those around her with laughter and conversation. Her secret to living a long life: ”Not to worry!”

Flo is survived by her daughter, Jean Pallotto (Terry) of Charlotte, NC, and her grandchildren: Isabella (Chris Adams) of Cincinnati, OH; Nicholas of Washington, DC; and Jonathan of Raleigh, NC. Her family was a source of great pride and joy for her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings John, George, Gloria, and Elizabeth.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale East Charlotte, Atrium Health Mercy, and Peak Resources for their care of Florence in the months prior to her passing.

A private memorial service for immediate family will take place in Waterloo, Iowa. Instead of sending flowers, you may wish to contribution to AAUW of Iowa (https://aauw-ia.aauw.net/ ) or plant trees in her memory through the Arbor Day Foundation https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others

Flo will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered, may her memory be eternal.