Florence M. Hancock

HARWICH - Florence May Hancock of Harwich and Provincetown, MA died

peacefully at the age of 99 on February 7, 2013 at Eagle Pond in

Dennis, MA. Born on October 26, 1913, in Provincetown, she was the

daughter of Anthony "Tony" and Louise (Strub) Avellar. Florence

attended Provincetown schools and graduated in 1931.

She grew up in Provincetown in the 1920’s, during an interesting time

when the town flourished with a mix of art, fishing and politics. In

the family’s boarding house, they welcomed many visitors and guests

who were painters, authors and other artists including Gerritt

Beneker, Mary Heaton Vorse, and Sinclair Lewis. Her father’s image

became famous in Beneker’s World War I "Sure We’ll Finish the Job"

Liberty Bond poster.

In Provincetown, she met George W. Hancock; they were married in 1934.

In 1942, they moved to Harwich. Florence worked for the Town of

Harwich helping families in need, before it became a Department of

Social Services for the State. For many years she ran her own antique

store, which George built for her, what is now the Mill Store on Route

28. She, also, was a realtor and worked at the Brooks Free Library in

the children’s room. She was very creative and painted furniture in

the style of Peter Hunt, knitted, hooked rugs and caned chairs. In

addition to playing golf, she was an avid card player and loved to

play games. She was very devoted to bridge, taught her grandchildren

how to master cribbage and loved crossword puzzles.

She will be remembered for her strong willed spirit, determination and

left-leaning political outlook on life. She will be greatly missed by

her family and many friends. She lived independently until August

2012.

Florence is survived by her daughter Gail Anna Hancock of Harwichport,

MA; grandchildren Lisa (Todd) Phillips in Rodanthe, NC, Chris Baldwin

of Harwich, MA, Charles Baldwin (Shawn Cotter) of Malden, MA, Stephen

(Karen) Baldwin of Mansfield, MA, Sherill Baldwin (Kimball Cartwright)

of New Haven, CT and Lewis (Ginny) Baldwin of South Yarmouth, MA;

eight great-grand children and many nieces and nephews; and long-time

family friend, Danny Hurley, of West Harwich, MA. Florence was

predeceased by her first husband George W. Hancock, second husband

Lynden G. Wordell, her son Anthony "Tony" I. Hancock and daughter Lee

W. Baldwin, and her grandson Timothy G. Engel.

A private memorial will be planned in Provincetown at a later date. In

lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence’s memory to the

Timothy G. Engel Scholarship Fund c/o Cape Cod Regional Technical High

School, Pleasant Lake Ave, Harwich, MA 02645 or Harwich Conservation

Trust, POB 101, South Harwich, MA 02661.