Florence (Bowen) Mahoney

NORTH CANAAN —Florence (Bowen) Mahoney, 96, died peacefully on Feb. 21, 2012, at Geer. Born Feb. 13, 1916, in Rockland, Mass., she was the daughter of Nellie (Lyons) and Michael Bowen. She graduated from Rockland High School in 1933. Florence married John Frances Mahoney on May 2, 1936, and they enjoyed 56 years together until his death in 1992. Florence worked in retail and was a homemaker. During World War II, she covered John’s mail route while he was serving his country, so that he would still have a job on his return. When John retired after more than 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, they bought an Airstream camper and traveled extensively throughout the United States. Decades later, she would still share memories of these trips with her great-grandchildren.Florence had a kind and gentle disposition — with an occasional flare of feistiness — and a great sense of humor. She enjoyed bird watching, poker, butterflies, shuffleboard, Scotch, Jeopardy, and, especially, family gatherings. At these events it was not uncommon for her to sit back, observe, and revel in the idea that, “John Frances and I started all this!”She was predeceased by her son, John “Jack” Mahoney, and will be interred with her husband in Lake Helen, Fla. In addition to her daughter, Mary Ellen Mahoney of North Canaan, Florence is survived by six grandchildren, Sheila Mahoney Hayward and her husband, Michael, of Scarborough, Maine, David Leonowicz and his wife, Kim, of Loveland, Colo., Michael Mahoney and his wife, Kim, of Columbus, Ohio, Danny Leonowicz and his wife, Jean, of East Bridgewater, Mass., Kathleen Mahoney and her husband, Mark LaPlaca, of Storrs, Conn., and Nancy Mahoney Soper and her husband, David, of North Canaan; 11 great-grandchildren, Molly and Colin Hayward, Brendan, Jessica and Chelsea Leonowicz, Kevin and Sean Leonowicz, Drew and Bailey LaPlaca and Katie and Ben Soper; one great-great-grandchild, Jake; and several nieces and nephews, including Michael Groom of Jensen Beach, Fla., and his wife, Donna.The family will hold a private tribute at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the HVRHS Science and Technology Center, c/o 21st Century Fund, PO Box 132, Falls Village, CT 06031.