Florence T. Scanlan

Florence T. Scanlan

April 10, 1931 - October 11, 2015

Florence T. Scanlan

April 10, 1931 - October 11, 2015

Obituary

Florence Teresa Scanlan, 84, aka Granny Flo, left us for heaven on October 11, 2015. She called Laguna Woods her home for the last 30 years. After dealing with dementia, and a lingering cold she succumbed at Mission Hospital, where she had worked as a registered dietician until she retired 10 years ago.

Florence was a woman of her own making. She was born in rural Kansas during the depression. She graduated from college when it was unexpected for a woman to do so. She established a strong career as a registered dietician, in Kansas City, MO Wichita, KS, and Mission Viejo, CA. She raised two daughters as single mom for most of their lives. She was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother, always putting them first. After retiring, she was able to fulfill her dream of travel, and went all over the world discovering and embracing different ways of life. She taught us all about family, and traditions. She had a wry sense of humor that even survived the dementia. As a devout Catholic, she was very involved in St. Timothy’s Parish in Laguna Niguel CA.

Florence is survived by her daughter, Ann; grandchildren Tabatha, Travis and Matthew; great granddaughter Alanna; and son-in-law Peter.

Services will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel on Nov. 23 at 10 am. Monetary donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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10 responses to Florence T. Scanlan

  1. Susan Rowley says:

    Hi Ann-

    I was so sad to hear of your mom’s passing. She was truly such an intelligent, loving, fun aunt, She had a such a wonderful laugh!! I have such fond memories of you all coming to Tampa for one or two weeks each summer (and our rock and flower shops!). Flo always took us on fun excursions- I remember once I had been sick and though I was feeling better my mom didn’t think I should go swimming but your mom convinced her it was just what I needed and I had the best time in the Herrington pool that day with you all!

    I remember her making “Hello Dolly” layered bars and how delicious they tasted! And I remember riding up to Kansas City with you in the summer, Classical Gas and MacArthur Park playing on the radio and I would start to get homesick half way there and she would always assure me that she would take me home the next day (a 3 hour drive!) if I was still homesick- which of course she never had to do!

    I also remember how happy my mom was when she came to visit and I was so fortunate to see all the sisters have a wonderful time in Hawaii! You were such a loving and caring daughter. I know the Lord has embraced her and I do believe there is one heck of a pitch game taking place in Heaven right now!

    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers! I hope to see you soon!

    Hugs from your cousin,
    Susan

  2. Florence was such a wonderful aunt and to me a second mom. She let me share your home when I did the accounting internship. I remember having a nice cup of tea each evening and discussing all the world problems. When she came to the farm it was always so much fun. Mom always had a great time and it was fun watching them tease each other as if they were kids again. It was fun to hear the trouble they got into as kids even though my mom said she never did any of that. Our family enjoyed our visits to California and seeing all the sights with her. The last time I got to see her was before her Panama cruise and we had a wonderful breakfast together. I’m sorry I never made it back to California to see her but I know she is in a better place and looking down watching all of us. Will miss her sweet smile and wonderful sense of humor. I’m sure Flo and mom are telling more stories on all of us.

    Your family is in my prayers and I hope that you all can come back to Kansas for a Costello reunion and we can all play pitch again and tell wonderful stories about moms.
    Mary Whitchurch

  3. ann says:

    thanks, Susan…great memories, made me a bit teary

  4. jean dukich says:

    Ann and family,
    I can “ditto” all the comments that follow below regarding your Mom. She was just a special aunt to all of us. I think all of our Costello aunts and uncles were just great people and I have fond memories of all of them. Your Mom looked out after me when I tried out a summer time job of babysitting for one of her neighbors in KC. That job only lasted a few weeks and she helped to bail me out of a bad situation. I was always invited to the house too in KC while in nursing school at KU which was appreciated. Her and my own connection to health care always gave us something to talk about and we each had our own “opinions”. Joe and I had several fun trips to California to visit and regret we did not get out to see her in her later years before the dementia stole away her memories. I also witnessed the close relationship she had with Mom for so many years. Those two were always fun to watch interact. They truly were close as sisters! She did live life fully. Many good memories!!! Thoughts and prayers to you and the family.

    Jeanie

  5. tree says:

    I loved reading Mary and Susan’s posts. Some fun memories that I hadn’t heard.

    When I think of your mom, I think of her ornery streak and good sense of humor. I think all the Costello sibs got that trait…. as well as being competitive when it came to playing games like pitch!
    I loved it when Barb and I were able to come to KC to stay at your house for a week during the summer. We had fun playing with the neighbor boys…getting into mischief. Flo was still working, so we were ornery ourselves. 🙂
    Also it was fun going to visit her in Laguna Beach. Jim and I took a vacation with the boys a month after he had his stem cell transplant, and so we headed to California to stay with Flo! The boys loved that hot car, and so did I! We had fun swimming in the ocean and having the boys get to know their Great Aunt Flo better.

    I will miss her smile and wit. I’m sure you miss her everyday. I hope these fun memories help brighten your day.

    Love and prayers,
    Tree

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