Born November 14, 1927, Florence was the eldest of five children of Maury W. and Viola (Borders) Wright. Florence grew up in Buechel, KY and attended Hikes Graded School and Highland Junior High School before graduating from Atherton High School for Girls in 1945. She then graduated with Honors from The University of Louisville, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 1953.
It was at the University of Louisville where Florence met her husband to be, Dr. Gradus L. Shoemaker. After raising her two children, Florence returned to The University of Louisville to earn her Masters of Education in Counseling. In 1983, Florence began working as a counselor at Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center where she worked for more than twenty-seven years until retiring at age 82. She loved her work and found it very rewarding having helped countless numbers of people.
Florence was a long time member of Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder, as a member of Session and on many committees in a leadership role. Florence was a member of the U of L Women’s Club, The University Club, The Woodstock Scholastic Society, The Daughters of the American Revolution and was an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. Florence was an active member of the Louisville Genealogical Society where she traced her ancestry back to the early 1600’s.
Upon retirement Florence and Gradus traveled the world together. They visited every state in the union, more than fifty foreign countries and six of the seven continents on earth. On one of their most recent excursions around Cape Horn, they came within five hundred miles of the seventh continent, Antarctica. Florence was a bright and caring woman who was always aware of local and national politics. She had an extensive knowledge of world history and kept up to date with Louisville’s current events. She had a fascinating and productive life and touched many people’s lives. Florence was a dedicated Louisville Cardinals fan, faithfully and enthusiastically attending football and basketball games along side her husband for more than 40 years as a season ticket holder.
Florence was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald L. Wright and her sister Carolyn (Wright) Shreve. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-six years, Dr. Gradus L. Shoemaker, her son Robert N. Shoemaker (Tracy), her daughter Elizabeth “Betty” S. Dotson (Dennis), her sister Marilyn (Wright) Nall, her brother James M. Wright of Bellevue, WA. and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Arch L. Heady and Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road with a service to follow at 1 PM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be at Cave Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence’s memory to Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, 1722 Bardstown Road, 40205.
The family would like to thank all those who helped care for Florence over the past two years, including the staffs at the Episcopal Church Home, Symphony at Oaklawn and a very special thanks to Fay Spurley and Carolyn Meyer for their loving care and devotion.
