STRATTON – Florence Caldwell, 83, of Stratton went peacefully into the waiting arms of Jesus on July 26, 2015, surrounded by her family, at her daughter’s home.
She was born to Florence Gorman Block in February of 1932, in Philadelphia, Penn. and graduated from South Philadelphia Girls High School in 1950. She was working at North American Insurance Company when she met John L. Caldwell, a Navy-man from Stratton, Maine, and they were married six weeks later.
Serving her Lord, husband, family and community brought her great delight. She was a self-taught seamstress, making many new outfits out of old garments. Her heart was filled with caring for people, no matter who they were. She served in her local church as a Sunday School teacher for over 55 years, wrote many Christmas plays, sang in the choir, served as the hospitality chairman for many years and helped plan and worked in many vacation Bible School programs.
She loved canning, sewing, crocheting and most of all, giving of herself to her family and community. Side by side, she and John helped develop the Stratton youth program in 1958 and she served as the associate director from 1963-1978. Flo was also very active in the Stratton PTC for many years and served as a Stratton School Board member for over 10 years. For the past 18 years, Flo and John have successfully run the Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry.
She is survived by; her husband of 62 and a half years, John Leslie Caldwell of Stratton; her sons, Rev. David Caldwell and wife Barbara of Columbus, Mississippi, Bruce Caldwell and wife Mary Anne of Manchester, CT, Rev. Craig Caldwell and wife Kim of Clarksville, TN; his daughter, Lynne Marie Pease and husband Gregory of Stratton; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, scattered from Maine, Connecticut, Mississippi, Tennessee, Newfoundland, Canada and Siberia, Russia. She was predeceased by her son, James Caldwell.
It was Flo’s wish to have donations made in her memory to the Calvary Bible Church Missions Fund, c/o Calvary Bible Church, POB 222, Stratton, ME 04982.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 from 8 to 9:30 am with her “Home-Going” service to follow at 10 am at the Calvary Bible Church, 37 Park St., Stratton with Pastor Bruce Townsend officiating. Interment will follow at the Upper Cemetery in Eustis and a reception at the Calvary Bible Church.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
This was a truly great person who we are all going to miss very much. My heart goes out to her family and especially to John.
My sincere condolences to all the family.
God be with you all
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and community.
My Sincere condolences to Greg, Lynn, Emily and family, Katie and family and the rest of the Caldwell Family for the lost of Florence.
Our deepest sympathy to the Caldwell family.
She had a servants heart. Praying for you all.
Dear John and family,
So sorry to hear of Flo’s passing….I will never forget her and our happy times together working for the food pantries. She was a strong woman of faith, for sure, and no doubt is with the Lord. I will keep your family in my prayers.
John our prayers are with you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
Your family is in our prayers during this difficult time. She was a very special person and will be dearly missed.
She was a lovely woman, and she raised a wonderful family! I have many fond memories of Flo and enjoyed growing up in Stratton with her children. Best wishes and condolences to the family.
Our deep Sympathy to Flo’s Family.
I have many good memories of Flo from my years in
Stratton. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My thoughts are with John and the family. I remember them well from my younger days and they were always good to my mother
Flo was a very special lady in my life; always sweet, loving, compassionate, and giving. I loved her smile and her energy! I’d meet her and John in Wal Mart and she was always on a mission of some sort! John, the kids and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Flo and John, two of the finest people ever.
Flo was an exceptional lady raising a wonderful family. She will always be remembered by those who knew her.
My deepest condolences to the entire family
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family