Mary "Flo" Triner

Florance was born December 12, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert and Florance Potter. She had three siblings: Rachel, Lynn, and Robert, who remember her as “Mary Sunshine,” for the joy and light she brought to their humble home. She was a “social butterfly,” always surrounded by friends, and an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and South Shore High School, where she lent her vocal talents to their choirs.

While she was still in high school, Florance met the love of her life, Robert (“Bob”) Triner, at Jewel Tea grocery store in Chicago where they both worked. They married March 12, 1960, in Chicago and soon after set off on their honeymoon, following the setting sun on Route 66 to California in their brand new red Volkswagen Beetle, and never looked back. Her 60-year marriage with Bob was a tender love story.

California was truly the “Promised Land” for the young couple. Florance and Bob created a loving, secure, and nurturing environment for their daughters, Laura and Debbie, to grow up, marry, and lead successful professional lives of their own. Florance was devoted to her husband, daughters, home, and career with Claremont McKenna College.

Following retirement from the College, Florance continued to remain very active. She served her community as a member of the Senior Choir, performing at numerous events and nursing homes. She fell in love with the sound of the ukulele while vacationing in Hawaii, purchased an instrument on the cruise ship on the return trip, and taught herself to play before joining a small group. She also loved to tend to her beautiful garden, enjoyed walking area hiking trails, attended exercise classes at the local gym, and was always interested in learning new technology.

Florance and Bob loved to travel, particularly with family. They visited Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and of course, relatives in the Chicago area and across the United States. Florance was deeply committed to her family and friends, wherever they were.

She maintained an especially close relationship with her daughters and their husbands. The first word that friends and family use to describe Florance is “sweet”. Her family knew her to be incredibly intuitive, nurturing, and empathetic. Her soft touch and warm loving smile were always comforting.

Mary Florance Triner is survived by her husband, Robert Triner, her daughter Laura Triner and son-in law Doug Shultz, her daughter Debbie House and son-in-law Mike House, brothers Lynn Potter and Robert Potter, and extended family members. She will remain in our hearts forever.

There will be a memorial service from 11-12 noon PDT on August 21, 2020 at Draper Mortuary, 811 N. Mountain Ave, Ontario, California. The memorial service will be live-streamed and taped for remote viewing.