Flo's children, Kurt & Tara
Flo with son Kurt
Flo's grand daughters
In dedication:
To my loving sister and best friend, Flossie
October 11, 2007
Florence Pearl, born September 12, 1956, South River, NJ. Raised in a large Italian family of 11 brothers and sisters, she lived in the community of South River until 1978 when she then married and moved to Spotswood where she raised two children. Flo was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma multiforme, a grade IV brain tumor on October 31, 2006, and passed October 7, 2007. Flo was 51 years of age with two children and three grandchildren. She was a loving part of my life, my great friend and sister...Her loss is immeasurable.
Flo's experience with the disease was more than courageous -- she sustained four major brain surgeries, and two dual spinal infections within six months of her diagnosis. Flo never let the disease stop her, her commitment and dedication to her family, friends and community persisted regardless of her illness. She never complained about her illness or the complications of it -- Flo always stayed positive. Her grace, dignity, courage and love carried family and friends through the most difficult days of her illness and loss. She was so very special -- Flo touched the lives of everyone that knew her. I am honored and thankful to have known her...She is truly my hero!
As a testament to Flo and how well loved she was by family and friends, over 450 people attended her memorial service on October 11, 2007. The following poem is in honor of her loving spirit and memory.
Flo and Bernie, May 2004 Welcome to My Garden A place of peace for family and friends Come, here you will find comfort A place to hang your hat and forget your troubles Here you will experience unconditional love For my garden offers Courage and strength when you feel weak Kindness and happiness when you feel sad Trust and honesty when you feel vulnerable Peace and love when you feel scared Most of all, my garden offers Grace and heartfelt wishes for a loving healthy life For my garden is an eternity of love and happiness Welcome Welcome to Flo's garden A place of beauty filled with sunshine, fragrant flowers and the many brilliant colors of life Welcome Welcome my loved ones to Flo's garden Home sweet home Come, enjoy, rest for awhile Unpublished by B. Tempalski, 2007
Flo's children, Kurt & Tara
Flo with son Kurt
Flo's grand daughters
Me and Flossie
To keep Flo's loving spirit alive there is a tribute fund set up in her honor. The tribute funds will go to helping New Jersey brain tumor patients and their families cope with this terrible illness through educational programs, support services and care. To donate to the fund you can either:
Send a check to:
JFK Medical Center Foundation
80 James Street
Edison, NJ 08820-3938
Please make checks to the JFK Medical Center Foundation, & write "Flo" in the memo line of the check.
Or click here: Make a donation in memory of Flo. Doing so will take you to a page where you can type in Flo's name and use a credit card to contribute to the fund.
On Saturday, October 15th at the 2nd Annual Flo's Chili Cook-Off we will honor Flo by keeping her memory alive with a joyful celebration of her life. Visit www.floschilicookoff.com or www.jfkmc.org/flos-annual-benefit for more information.
All proceeds from Flo's tribute fund and the 2nd Annual Flo's Chili Cook-Off go to JFK Brain Tumor Center (Edison, NJ), to benefit New Jersey brain tumor patients and their families in need of support services and care.
bjtemp@uw.edu