Over the last 70 years, Florence has been a pillar of her community. She was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is still an active member. Her husband Wendell and she had 10 children and raised them in the same house that they built back in the 1950s. 

“I used to bake pies and cakes and the kids loved pigs in a blanket. I didn’t love cooking, but I loved my children...I did it for my children.”

Looking back on her life, Florence cherishes all of the little moments of raising her kids. While she didn’t enjoy the act of cooking, she did enjoy the act of service. Cooking was an extension of her love.

“I loved that piano. I still love it. I could play it for four hours at a time. I can still play, but I can’t play like I used to.”

In addition to baking, Florence fondly reminisces about playing the piano. Throughout her years in the church, she often got to play the piano on Sundays for her ward and her family.

“When (Wendell) died, the heart of the house left me. I know where my heart is and I know where his heart is and it isn’t in the home. The home is just bricks and mortar. And as much as we love it, we know it can’t last forever.”

Living in the same house for 50+ years, Florence has seen her surroundings change drastically from country farmlands to a sweeping suburban city. Similar to her surroundings, Florence has felt herself change; from a loving mother of 10 children, to the prominent matriarch of an extended family tribe.