Obituary of Florence M. Breem

Florence M. Breem resided at 30 Elm St in Geneseo, NY for the last 40 years. She peacefully passed away in her home on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 at 100 years of age. Born Oct. 15, 1914 to Edith and John I Wood in Lynbrook, NY, Florence was the 9th generation of the Wood family to be born on Long Island. She had 2 older brothers (Albert and John Wesley) and an older half-brother and half-sister (Samuel and Hazel). All four predeceased her. Graduating from Malverne High School in 1932, Florence took advanced business training at New York City's Pace Institute. She then worked as a legal secretary, spending her first year of employment completing numerous foreclosures caused by our nation's Great Depression. With that experience, Florence always paid her bills the day they arrived and made sure she had accounts in various banks -to assure she would always have access to her money. After a five year courtship, she wed Charles W. Breem on a beautiful Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938. Taking to heart her father's pre-wedding words to be sure that Charles was the right man as no Wood had ever gotten divorced, she and Charles were happily married until his death in 1994 for more than 56 years. Originally brought up in the Methodist Protestant church, she was actively involved all her life in the local Methodist Church. While living on Long Island she played the organ for three different churches, as well as taking part in various church sewing circles. Upon his retirement from Grumman Aircraft in 1975, Florence and Charles moved to Geneseo to be closer to their children and grandchildren and immediately joined the Geneseo United Methodist Church where church members became extended family. She was mother to Charles (Lois) Breem of Buffalo and Marian (Ron) Luce of Geneseo. She had 3 granddaughters, Janna Luce (Lucio Gonzalez), Tirsa (Michael) Parrish, both living in California, and Chandra (Dave) Wong of Geneseo. Her favorite granddaughter was the one she was with at the moment. Florence was also proud great-grandmother to Owen Wong and Jaden Parrish. As a determined, independent lady, Florence remained in her home all her days with minimal help. A positive and generous person, she could always find the good in any situation and enjoyed her life, especially enjoying her time with family. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2015 from 11AM - 1PM at the United Methodist Church in Geneseo where Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM with Rev. Keith Griswold officiating. Burial will be in Temple Hill Cemetery in Geneseo. Memorials may be made to the Geneseo United Methodist Church, 4520 Genesee St. (Route 63), Geneseo, NY 14454 or the Hornell Animal Shelter, 7649 Industrial Park Rd., Hornell, NY 14843.