Florence Ann Chaffin passed away on July 15, 2018. Florence is survived by her sister, Mary Clements, and her daughters, Laura Holmesley (Mark) and Bonnie Hood, grandsons, Joel Ayers, (Michelle), Jonathan Ayers (Melody), Stephen Hood (Marsha), great-grandchildren, Madeline Ayers, Lauren Ayers, Dylan Ayers, Matthew Hood, Malin Hood and Molly Hood. She is also survived by her extended family of grandsons, Travis Holmesley, (Tanya), Thomas Holmesley (Kim) and granddaughter Kara Holmesley, great-grandchildren, Kelsey Richardson, Tyler Richardson, Kaylee Cerullo, Travis Liam Holmesley, and Gavin Holmesley and also many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Chaffin. They were happily married for 63 years. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Irene Cervantes, and her brothers, Richard Hart and Gene Hart.
Florence was born in New Mexico and moved to Albuquerque where she attended grade school and graduated from Albuquerque High School. She went to business school and became a court reporter. She excelled at shorthand and continued to use it throughout her life.
Florence loved, loved, loved the Phoenix Suns and knew all the players. She would tape the games and watch them at the same time so as to not miss any play. She also liked to watch them on the TV while listening to the commentary on the radio because she liked Al McCoy.
She loved to play Hand and Foot, a card game, and would play every Wednesday with 3 of her friends. These games would last hours and the game was accompanied by big cinnamon donuts. She taught some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to play as well. She also loved to do crossword puzzles and cryptograms. Gifts at birthdays and holidays always included puzzles books.
Florence worked for the Bureau of Land Management as an executive assistant. She loved her job and never intended to retire. But when she finally did retire from BLM she took up line dancing and enjoyed that as well and wondered why she didn’t retire sooner.
“Nanny” loved her grandsons but she really loved her great-grandchildren. If she had favorites, she’s not telling.
Florence attended West Phoenix Baptist Church and had many church friends. She was a charter member of the church and was the Sunday School secretary for many, many years. She kept in touch with all her friends with cards and letters. She spent hours at the 99 cent store looking for just the right cards to send out.
Her memorial is scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2018 at 10:00 at Chapel of the Chimes at 7924 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Phoenix Baptist Church at 4449 W. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, 85031 or Hospice of the Valley West, Team S, at 9435 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345.
Condolences and memories can be posted at www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com
