Florence was born & raised in Newark, NJ. She married young to her first husband, Robert A. Gordon, but she became a widow way too early in 1966, loving her first husband without warning. After a few years, she moved to Lakehurst, NJ where she me her second husband, John R. Conover. John was a military man, serving in the United States Navy where orders took them to Virginia Beach, Virginia. After only 10 short years of marriage, Florence became a widow a second time when John passed away in 1980. Florence lived in Virginia Beach for over 30 years before moving back and settling down in Whiting, NJ in Crestwood Village IV.
While living in Virginia, Florence was a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary and was employed by the Virginia Beach School System before retiring in 2000. She was a member of a line dance club that traveled to different nursing homes providing entertainment for and encouraged involvement of the residents of the nursing home which she enjoyed sharing with her grandchildren Trae & Damien Wathen. Florence enjoyed tanning at the beach and camping with her family all over the United States every summer.
Florence is predeceased by her husband, John R. Conover, her daughter Michele Y. McDowell and her son, Christopher M. Conover. She is also predeceased by a sister, Carol Henry and three brothers; Charles Gregoire, Raymond Gregoire and Robert Gregoire.
Florence is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline C. Wathen, of Chesapeake, Va, three sons Donald C. Conover of Morganville, NJ, Andrew W. Gordon of Virginia Beach, VA and Richard A. Gordon of Virginia Beach, VA. She was fortunate to have had an extended family and is survived by three step-daughters, Barbara Bowe, Susan Bond and Lisa Hamburger as well as two step-sons, John Conover and Robert Conover all from New Jersey. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by one sister, Agnes Gaven and two brothers, Rene Gregoire and Eugene Gregoire. She had many friends whom she loved dearly in both Virginia and New Jersey whom will miss her greatly. She was especially thankful to her son-in-law, Gerald Wathen of Chesapeake, VA whom provided the most care for her from the time she went to live with them in February 2018 until her passing.
There was visitation and services in Virginia. Visitation in New Jersey will be held at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ 08759 on Friday, July 6 from 4-8pm.
Florence will be laid to rest with her husband at Old Tennent Cemetery in Manalapan, on July 7, at 11:30am.
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