Florence S. Gordon Obituary (1922 - 2014)

Florence Sonders Gordon, 91,passed away peacefully and free of distress Tuesday, May 13th, at the Mt.Carmel East Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, following a short illness. Her daughter Susan and son Randy were present with her. By all accounts, Florence had the perfect end to a full life. Florence was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, William (Bill) Gordon. She is survived by her beloved brother and sister-in-law Dr. Lawrence J. Sonders and Susan Sonders, and three children, Dr. Michael Gordon (Debbie Gordon), Randy Gordon (Bridget Donovan), Susan Gordon (Richard Hall), and her beloved grandchildren, Jackie Gordon, Daniel Gordon (Izabella Binchkauskas-Gordon), Katie Dixon-Gordon (Joe Vreedenburgh), Casey Anne Dixon-Gordon, Zachary Hall, and Joshua Hall and great-grandchildren Nathan Schlackman, Shoshana Gordon and Naomi Gordon. Born in Hove, England, Florence grew up in Brooklyn, New York and was an inspirational elementary school teacher in the New York City School system for over twenty years, known for her creativity and commitment to bringing out the best in each student. She was always teaching, including English as a second language to adult students and substitute teaching in Seattle, Washington, and during her later years concentrated on sharing her wisdom with her grandchildren. She came to New Albany, Ohio via Seattle, Washington, Lake Worth, Florida, and Marietta, Georgia, close to her youngest grandchildren and daughter Susan. Those of you who knew Florence will recall her energy, wit, intelligence, outgoing personality and engagement in civic affairs and political activism. Her children are making arrangements for celebrations of her life in Glen Cove, New York (son Michael), Marietta, Georgia and New Albany, Ohio (daughter Susan) and Seattle, Washington (son Randy) to permit her far flung constellation of friends and family to celebrate her life. She touched many lives, enlivening, uplifting and cheering all she touched. We are so grateful she was herself to the end. We love her and miss her. Those wishing to honor Florence should know that contributions to the League of Women Voters (www.lwv.org) or Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (www.adl.org) would be consonant with her values.