A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky as the Lord was calling Flora Basso Horne, 87, home to join her beloved husband, Fred, on July 6, 2018. Surrounded by family, she passed peacefully at Baptist Hospital a day after a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. Honest and direct, Flora was “something special” to all those who knew her. She brought everyone laughter, love, and more than a few surprisingly touching moments.
Born July 17, 1930 to Italian immigrants Ettore and Aurelia Basso in New York City, Flora moved to Jacksonville when she was 18 and had a long career as a legal secretary. She worked for attorney Frank Watson and then for Judge Major B. Harding. Later she served as an executive secretary for Koger Properties. After she retired in her 70s, Flora spent her time volunteering at St. Vincent’s Hospital, River Garden Nursing Home, and at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she was an active member. She loved puzzles, playing cards and getting together with her friends, but her heart was always with her family. Family time was her happiest time.
Flora is survived by her three children, Teri McCathern, Jim Horne (Madge), and Elizabeth Miller (Bryan); grandchildren, Tyler McCathern, Brian Horne (Jacqueline), Jamie Horne and her fiancé Spencer Coto, Makenzie Francis (George), Peyton Miller, Catherine Miller, Julia Miller, and John Michael Miller; great grandchildren, Carmella McCathern and Launi McCathern, Annaleigh Horne, and Charlotte Francis; brothers, Joe Basso (Janie) and Richard Basso (Hilda); nephews and nieces, Scott Basso, Ronald Heinicke, Susan Hall (John), Eddie Basso (Carol) and their sons Taylor, Justin, and Jeremy, Linda Ormanowski (Jim) and their children Jordan and Tanner, and Joey Basso (Amy) and their son, Bailey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 13 from 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 14 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Main Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258.
Flora was adored by anyone who had the opportunity to meet her. She will be missed beyond words, but we know she is now singing with the angels in her unique operatic style.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the “Mandarin Food Bank” at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11730 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258.
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