I was born in Martinsville, Indiana on September 14, 1935, just in time for dinner and haven’t missed a meal since. My family, Herb and Elizabeth (Sackman) Gillespie, moved to Elwood, Indiana, and we stayed there for six years. We relocated in 1942 to Waukegan, Illinois, my mother’s home town. I was enrolled in Immaculate Conception School where I met Carole Aspatore Bartholomae who became my best friend for 72 years. After grade school, I spent four great years at Holy Child High School, I went one semester to Edgewood College of the Sacred Heart, then found a job at Abbott Labs in Virology. Dating became rather routine until I met the love of my life – Ray Martino. We were married on October 4, 1958 and had four children. My job then was as a stay-at-home mom. I was a den mother and a room mother (several times) at the kids’ school. I joined Beta Sigma Phi sorority as a night out. I had a small cake decorating business, too. I loved crafting and cooking and shopping with my sisters. In 1970, we needed a car, so I went to work nights at Lake Forest Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Twenty-one years later, I retired from Westmoreland to help take care of my grandchildren.
Ray and I traveled as much as we could. I’ve visited every state and ten countries. I certainly changed from a student who hated History to an adult who loves it.
The biggest sorrows in my life are the deaths of my husband, Raymond Martino, my oldest son, Jerome (Jay) Martino in 2013, and my youngest daughter, Karen Martino in 2018. Also, my parents, my brother Herb, my sister Jeri Whitson, my sister Carol Abbinanti, and my friends Carole Bartholomae, and Georgine (Keller) Ebert.
Surviving me are my two wonderful children, Kenneth (Donna) Martino, of Racine, WI, and Julie K. Martino, of Columbia, SC; daughter-in-law Linda Martino of Benicia, CA; ten beloved grandchildren, Jeffrey (Cera) Globis, of Brookville, OH, Ryan (Mayra) Martinez, of Waukegan, IL, Elizabeth (Justin) T., of Waukegan, IL, Kelley Martino, of San Jose, CA, Rae (Tanya) Ruiz-Martino, of Arlington, TX, Dylan Martino, of San Jose, CA, Lucas Martino of Racine, WI, Madeline (Lana) Thames, of Columbia, SC, Emma (Marvin) Kay Burgos of Waukegan, IL, and Sarah (Sally) Thames of Dublin, Ireland; several of the world’s cutest, smartest, loving great-grandchildren ever – Elias Rodriguez and Isaiah and Isaac Akard of Arlington, TX, Persephone T. and Ollie T. of Waukegan, IL, Gabriel and Luca Globis of Brookville, OH, and Leila and Ximena Alvarez of Waukegan, IL; a passel of extraordinary nieces and nephews, and two siblings, brother Richard (Maria) Gillespie, and sister Sharon Harder of Antioch IL.
I have a host of friends and cousins. I’ve been so fortunate in my life. I’ll let my kids finish this with date and time of a party for you all to share my life and have a good time on me. You’ve all contributed to a long, great, happy life. Thank you. Peace, Flo.
A memorial celebration will be held on October 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at The Parkway Chateau (The Brat Stop) in the Wisconsin Room. 12304 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142.
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