Florence Rose McCarvel

Florence Rose McCarvel died peacefully on June 10 in San Jose after years of struggling with Alzheimers. Florence was born on March 7, 1921 in Anaconda MT—a child of immigrant Croatian parents, Katherine and Joseph Kuffner. Hers was a life carved by the ideals and celebratory nature of her ethnic heritage i.e. hard work, good food at the hands of her mother, tamburitza music at the hands of her father and lots of love. She was the 5th of six children.

In 1939, she enrolled in the College of Great Falls where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught in one room school houses in both East Helena and Avon before marrying her high school sweetheart, John (Jack) Marvin McCarvel in 1943. Jack had just earned his BS in electrical engineering at Montana State College in Bozeman, MT. They shared 59 years together and raised 7 children.

With Jack’s jobs with Westinghouse, they moved multiple times, from Anaconda, to Pittsburgh, PA, to Butte, MT, where Carol was born, to Long Beach, CA, where Kathie was born, to Portland, OR, where Tom, Mary and Becky were born, back to their beloved Butte, MT, where John and Patty where born, then to Vallejo, CA, to finally San Jose. Through all these moves, she made home a wonderful place to be no matter what the address.

Florence’s foremost gift was as a homemaker and mother but she gave generously of her spare time to school and church activities. She was a “born” teacher who made sure her children loved to read at an early age. She walked for the March of Dimes and was a Girl Scout leader when 6 children still filled her days. And when the family moved to San Jose, countless hours were spent at St. Christopher’s with the Mother’s Guild and CCD programs, and with the St. Elizabeth Guild—raising money for those in need. Her love was born of her faith and gratitude for all the blessings she received in life.

Artistically creative, she started art classes in her 60’s when her life presented enough quiet time to work with her acrylics and water colors. At this same time, she took up golf, served as an election volunteer for 15 yrs and traveled with Jack to visit family and many countries abroad. She always loved to dance and cook and was featured in the San Jose Mercury News for the povitica she baked each holiday that was much in demand at holiday bazaars. The greatest joy of her life though was time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She believed each was a beautiful piece of art. She was always full of energy and laughter.

In 1997 all hearts were broken when Kathie died of cancer at the age of 50, at which time a scholarship fund was created at Carroll College, where four of the seven McCarvel children graduated.

The family could tell stories for days of all the fun and funny things Florence did. She loved people and always had her home open to friends and friends of her children. Many Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, and New Year’s Eve parties were enjoyed in the McCarvel home.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimers years ago, she maintained her happy nature, walking and exercising daily. She received kind and compassionate care during this time from caregivers, Fe Johnson, Carmen Canonoy, Claire and Virgina. Our family is most indebted to these wonderful and caring women and all the caregivers we had over the years.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband John and daughter Kathie. Survivors include children Carol and Kirwin Werner of Ronan, MT, Tom and Janeen McCarvel of Helena, MT, Mary and Rich Helgeson of Billings, MT, Becky and Paul Gillick of San Jose, CA, John and Paula McCarvel of Denver, CO, Patty Pimentel of Henderson, NV, 20 grand-children and 14 great-grandchildren, her beloved sister-in-law, Charlotte Kuffner of Anaconda, MT, her God-daughter Mary Kay Matule of Helena, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Florence’s wonderful life will be held at St. Christopher’s church at 11 AM on Monday June 16. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 PM, Sunday, June 15 at Lima’s mortuary, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Kathie McCarvel Grmoljez Scholarship Fund, Carroll College, Helena, MT 59625 or Santa Clara Holy Family Guild, PO Box 3248, Fremont, CA. 94539.