Florence “Flo” Swenson, 93
Dan McClelland
Florence Madeline Swenson, better known as Flo to many, 93, of 79 Stetson Road Tupper Lake, died peacefully on March 7, 2020. A small service will be held at 2p.m. on Saturday March 14 at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8 Brentwood Street, Tupper Lake, N.Y.
Flo is survived by her children April and Robert Swenson of Tupper Lake, N.Y. She is also survived by her grandchildren Danielle and Christian Cuttaia, Ashlie LaLonde, Nerissa Martin and Josh Gallo and Benjamin and Kacie Martin. Flo, aka MeMe is also survived by her great grandchildren whom she spent most of her time with: Ava, Camille and Cooper Cuttaia, Charley and Eliza Gallo, Benjamin Wiley Martin, Peyton Williams and Isabella Charron.
Florence was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and moved to Childwold in the early seventies where she lived out her golden years. She was the child of Walter H. Fourness and Bertha M. Sellars Fourness.
She was predeceased by her brother and sister in law, Walter H. Fourness (Uncle Chub) and Prudence A. Fourness.
Flo worked at the Childwold Leather Artisan for many years. She loved to garden and plant flowers. She was known as the community greeter, always offering hugs and positive thoughts to anyone who crossed her path.
Flo enjoyed spending countless hours with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether it be outside playing in the dirt, laying on the floor with them, reading stories, telling old stories, singing and dancing or just holding them tight. There are no words to describe this woman. She was surely different from the rest. She was what we all hope to be someday: kind, happy, compassionate for others, smart, eccentric, generous, thrifty, creative, loving and most of all, honest.
Over the years Flo became a MeMe and her heart was full, often quietly telling us all: "you are my favorite...shhhhh don't tell!” As we look back, we could all agree she was our favorite and she will be deeply missed. Do not cry for her... just keep smiling.
Memorial donations can be made to her second home a place she truly loved St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 8 Brentwood Street, Tupper Lake, NY. She loved her church family like her own.