Flora Ann Alton

Flora was born on May 18, 1948, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Lester Blume and Lola Cochrane. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle, Washington and attended college at the University of Washington for a few years majoring in Dance before pursuing her passion to dance professionally.

In her early years, Flora moved to New York City to dance professionally, where she cherished her time as a go-go dancer at the famed Peppermint Lounge near Times Square—a highlight of her life. Later, she relocated to Idaho to pursue nursing, inspired by her mother, who also became a nurse. Flora earned her Associate of Nursing from North Idaho Community College in 1975 and began a career dedicated to caring for others.

In 1976, Flora married Ed Alton in Sandpoint, Idaho. The two had first met years earlier in Mammoth, California, where they bonded over skiing and stayed connected through postcards while Ed served in the Army Reserves. Together, they built a life rooted in adventure and simplicity—living off the grid in a cabin near Moyie Springs, raising livestock, and growing vegetables. They welcomed their first son in 1977, Jesse, before traveling to Mexico and living in a VW bus in Carpinteria, California. In 1983, they settled in Seattle, where they raised their family. Their son John was born in 1985, followed by their daughter Anna in 1989.

Flora worked as a registered nurse at Bonner General in Sandpoint, Idaho. Later, she provided home nursing care for children and adults with disabilities in Seattle, Washington. Her love of Nursing and caring for others was inspiring. Her daughter Anna followed in her footsteps and has a career as a Nurse.

She was a longtime member of the Church of Apostolic on 75th and Roosevelt. She was an active volunteer at her children's schools and the local food banks.

Family was the center of Flora’s world. She adored her two grandchildren, Dallas and Birdie, and cherished time spent with her children and extended family.

She is survived by her siblings Mark, Pam, and Herman; her children Jesse, John, and Anna; her grandchildren Dallas and Birdie; and many nieces and nephews, including Lyam, Beau, Jeremiah, Susan, Sharon, Mark Jr., Mark Brown, Rachel, and Melissa.

A burial service will be held at Acacia Cemetery in Lake Forest Park on January 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

The family will also be holding a memorial service for Flora in the next couple of months. This information will be available on a later date.

Flora will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her devotion to family, and her lifelong commitment to caring for others.