Florence Katherine Morgridge

Florence Katherine Morgridge September 2, 1914 February 22, 2012 Florence Katherine Morgridge, age 97, passed away quietly on 22 February 2012 at the South Portland Nursing Home after a brief illness. Born at home on 2 September 1914 at 69 B Street, South Portland, she was the last surviving child of Roy Thompson and Margaret Farrell Thompson. She was predeceased by her former husband, Ralph Owen Morgridge of Burlington, VT in 1979. She is survived by her only child, LTC Ralph Leroy Morgridge (US Army-Retired) and his wife, Susan, of Portland; two grandchildren, Kurt Michael Morgridge of Portland and Caroline Susan Morgridge of Wilmington, NC; along with two great grandchildren, Hunter R. Shiflett of Annandale, VA and Maddix B. Morgridge of South Portland; two nieces, Jean A. Farrar of South Portland and Eleanor Hill of Portland; and one nephew, Leroy Thompson of Saco, ME; and many grand nieces and nephews. Affectionately known as "Flossie" by her loving family and many friends, she was born and grew up in the Knightville neighborhood of South Portland, was educated in South Portland schools, and was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Cross Church. During World War II she worked in the construction of Liberty ships at the Todd Shipyard in South Portland and also as a dressmaker in Providence, RI. Later, she worked at DowCheck in Portland and retired from Mercy Hospital as a dietician. She was an original resident of the Mill Cove Apartments, living alone there for almost 30 years before moving to the South Portland Nursing Home (SPNH). She will be especially remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and love of practical jokes. She always had an extremely positive outlook towards life, which greatly contributed to her longevity. Flossie was an extraordinary mother, fantastic mother-in-law, and wonderful grandmother. She always said she wanted to reach the age of 100 - she was a few years shy of that goal, but gave it one heck of a try! Many thanks to Mercy Hospital, Dr. Joel Botler, Dr. William DiMicco, the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), and the outstanding staff at the SPNH for their superlative care. A celebration of her life is planned for the spring or summer of 2012. Donations in her memory can be made to the SPNH, 42 Anthoine St., South Portland, ME 04106 or the VNA, 50 Foden Road, Suite 3, South Portland, ME 04106. Funeral arrangements by Independent Death Care of Maine, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland, ME. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com

Florence Katherine Morgridge

September 2, 1914 - February 22, 2012

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