Florence Ida Ladd

Florence I Ladd (98) passed away peacefully at Violet Springs Health campus in Pickerington on Thursday, April 23, 2020. She was born February 26, 1922 in West Jefferson, Ohio to Addie (Dutcher) Lee and Homer Lee.

In addition to her parents she is predeceased by her husband, Lt. Col. Frank H. Ladd; daughter Sandra King; sisters and brother; Velma Tatman, Viola Tatman, Audrey Mosier, Ethel Moore, and Samuel Lee; grandchildren; Mark Buchanan, Diane (Rowe) Lingle; daughter-in-law, Elda Shipley; stepsons Frank L. Ladd and David Ladd.

She is survived by children James Shipley of Columbus, Joyce (Ray) Sisk of Pickerington, Ben (Cindi) King of Columbus; stepson James Ladd of Cassville, WV; grandchildren Suzanne (Douglas) Holcomb of Columbus, Michael Buchanan of Pickerington, Rebecca (Lisa) Rowe of Casper, WY, Jeffrey (Alicia) Shipley of Dublin, Deborah Rowe of Arvada, CO, Benny (Lexa) King of Galena, Scott King of Dublin, Bradley (Jodi) King of Hilliard; eleven great- grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; niece Janet Miller, nephews Robert Mosier and Larry Moore; special friend and neighbor, Mary Dupler.

She retired from General Motors in Columbus in 1980 with 30 years of service as an Operator Assembly and Inspection. She was a leader in her department and was able to get the company to provide the required leather inspection gloves, and paid work breaks. She was a determined, intelligent, organized, multitalented woman. Her family wouldn't be where they are today had she not been.

Before her retirement she began making quilts again, a skill she acquired from her mother-in-law, Flora Shipley. She began her first quilt when she was expecting her third child. That unfinished quilt top was moved from house to house for years. She finally finished it and it is now cherished by her grandchildren in Colorado. She went on to make thirty-eight more quilts by hand for her children and grandchildren. She made many baby quilts for her great-grandchildren, and other quilted items that we will always cherish.

Colorado became her favorite vacation destination with her husband, Frank. They bought eight acres near Walden, and built a beautiful home there. It provided our family and friends a great place to gather and to fish, hunt, hike and trail ride. Mother was an amazing hostess, cooking many great meals for us. Our family has many cherished memories of the cabin, camping at Slack and Weiss Reservoir and hiking the Hyannis Peak Trail.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Amber Park Assisted Living in Pickerington for the compassionate care they provided during her difficult transition to assisted living.

She recently moved to Violet Springs Health Campus in Pickerington. Our thanks to the staff there for the happiness they brought into her life, and for the excellent care she received from everyone. She never lost her competitive spirit and always wanted to win at "Lollipop Balloon Blast" and "Beach Ball Croquet." The other players tossed her the ball just so they could hear her shouts of glee. Her sweet personality, contrasted with a devilish grin and an ornery laugh, endeared her to many.

Our deepest gratitude to all the Capital City Hospice staff, who provided gentle loving care and support to her and her family.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Interment at Sunset Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Ste. 170, Columbus, Ohio 43231, or the American Heart Association.