08/23/2013. Flo, a member of America's Greatest Generation, was born on
06/29/1923 in Jamaica, NY to Ada and Charles Roskoski. After high school,
she began working as a secretary at Mitchel Field AFB, New York, where she
met and later married Charles "Chuck" Schwaner on August 17, 1949.
After their wedding, they moved to Detroit, Michigan where Chuck taught math
and physics at the University of Detroit's first ROTC program and Flo was
an executive secretary at Lincoln Mercury's corporate headquarters.
After leaving Detroit, Chuck and Flo were stationed in Kaiserslautern,
Germany where they spent four years visiting and enjoying many European
countries. They were later stationed at McQuire AFB in New York, Hickam
Field AFB in Pearl Harbor, and Andrews AFB in Washington DC, where after 25
years, Chuck retired from the USAF as a Lt. Colonel.
Blessed with extraordinary people skills and an abundance of charisma, Flo
was the quintessential Officer's wife- the "Hostess with the Mostess" - who
made her guests feel like royalty. Flo often joked that Chuck attained the
rank of Lt. Col because the Generals were so fond of her dinner parties!! As
a testament to the magnificent friendships they forged, Flo and Chuck were
still in contact with many friends they had known for over 60 years.
Regarding her three grandchildren, Flo relished her role as "Nanny," and
always wore an ear-to-ear grin in their presence. Her love for them was
genuine and immeasurable.
A fantastic cook, Flo's crab soup and various Polish dishes (e.g. Golumpki)
were legendary and her lasagna was "awesome" - per her grand kids and other
family and friends.
With her infinite charm and larger-than-life personality, Flo would have
been successful at any profession, but she chose to function primarily as a
homemaker, and she excelled at it.
In addition to spending time with her family, Flo enjoyed sewing, gardening,
interior design, watching her Redskins & Jags and (like Chuck) the
occasional DRY martini.
RIP Flo.
Flo is survived by her daughter, Caren Doherty (Mike) of Jacksonville Beach, her son, Charles Schwaner, JR; grandchildren, Sean, Caitlin & Patrick, and great granddaughter, Emma Lynn; her sister, Marie Nadolny of Middle Island,
NY; and her brother, Charles Roskoski (Greta) of Meriden, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 am Thursday, August 29th in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2400 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, FL, Rev. Father Mark Waters presiding. She will be laid to rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30 Thursday. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 28th at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL.
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