Florence McInally died peacefully at her home in Ventura, California, April 28, 2017, surrounded by family. She was born Florence Amy Collingwood on September 11, 1924 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire, England to Charles Collingwood and Margaret Watson. Florence was the youngest of four children, having two brothers, Charles Clifford and Albert William and one sister, Sarah Ann, all of whom predeceased her. She was the loyal and loving wife of Thomas McInally for almost 65 years.
Florence lived a long and full life, spanning three continents. During World War II, she started her work life in Hull and beginning in 1943 was involved in German radio communications decoding with the Enigma machine at Bletchley Park, which led to the defeat of the Nazis. Florence never spoke of this top-secret position until a few years ago when it was officially released as public information.
After the war, she took a position in London but longed for more.
An adventurous woman, in 1949 Florence accepted a position with Royal Dutch Shell in Venezuela and left her home in England on the “Nieuw Amsterdam.” After arriving in New York, Florence boarded the “Santa Clara” which took her to Maracaibo, Venezuela where she would work as a stenographer. It was here that she met her husband, Thomas McInally. They married in November 1952 in Maracaibo and their first child was born the following year.
With a family to raise, Thomas, Florence and their infant son headed to the United States. They traveled to California and lived for periods in Fresno and Bakersfield before finally making their permanent home in Ventura for the past 57 years.
Florence was a loving mother and wonderful homemaker to Thomas and their five children: Thomas C. (Lauren); Jennifer M. Artiles (Albert); Stephen J. (Marta); Matthew W. (Tammy) and Gregory P. (Rose). She was a devout Catholic and was active in Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School organizations. Florence volunteered many years at the HP Wright Library as well as Community Memorial Hospital.
She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Lindsey, Erin and Kathryn McInally; Marissa and Nathan Artiles, predeceased by Joshua Artiles; Stephen, Kevin, Emily and Thomas McInally; Andrew and Ryan McInally, Brittney and Scott Montgomery; Anthony and Megan McInally, predeceased by Jessica McInally; Omar and Rachel Napod.
Also mourning her are Patrick McInally (Kathleen) and many nieces and nephews across the country and world.
The McInally family wishes to also thank the Livingston Memorial Association for providing home care for Florence.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, 1:00 pm, at Our Lady of the Assumption, 3175 Telegraph Road, in Ventura. A private burial will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 North “H” Street, in Oxnard.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.
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