Florence Maguire passed away peacefully, 96 years young, at her “Marian Manor Assisted Living Residence” in Virginia Beach, VA on January 15, 2018.

She was born to John James Martin and Catherine Ward Martin on June 27th 1921 in New York, NY. In her early years, Florence, her sister Mary, and their parents relocated to Mount Vernon NY. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish there, where she attended Sacred Heart elementary school. She graduated from St. Gabriel’s High School in New Rochelle, NY.

It was while living and going to school in Mount Vernon that Florence met her wonderful, loving husband of forty-four years, Thomas P Maguire. As with so many other couples of this generation, they were married after the end World War II on August 17, 1946, in Sacred Heart Church.

In 1948 they moved to Putnam County, NY, to start a truly wonderful life together. Later, upon retirement, they relocated to Cape Coral, FL. And then with Tom’s passing in 1990, Florence headed to Virginia Beach, VA. to spend the rest of her retirement years.

Florence and Tom were the iconic “greatest generation” couple. In addition to raising a family of five children, they started a very successful general construction firm---exhibit contractor at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair Vatican Pavilion---with the great majority of their work for the Archdiocese of New York.

Florence is survived by her five children: Tom (Debbie), Don (Kit), Maureen Kroha, Steve (Barbara) and Patricia Rother (Denny). Additionally, she has been blessed with eleven grandchildren and seven great-grand children.

During her life, in addition to running the business and raising a family, Florence loved to travel, read, knit, play bingo with her friends, fish, visit Las Vegas and do volunteer work at the local hospitals. Sometimes it seems all at the same time! A picture that all of her children cherish and remember is one of their mom sitting in the back of the family boat--trolling for bluefish with a book propped open on her lap and knitting needles in her hands!

Visitation hours will be at The Beecher Funeral Home, Thursday, April 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Brewster, NY. Interment will follow immediately in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Lawrence O’Toole Building Fund.