AUBURN – Florence S. Whitman of Upper Street, Turner, passed away Sept. 24, surrounded by the love of her extensive family and many, many friends, after a brief illness.

On the night of her stroke, Hurricane Florence was passing by and her spirit decided to go with it.

She was a minister’s daughter, farmer’s wife, school secretary and adventurous spirit. She loved her morning coffee, travel, reading, singing, crossword and cryptoquip puzzles, and good luck beating her at Scrabble. She was a master. She was an avid bird watcher and loved to work in her son’s organic gardens.

She wintered in St. Petersburg, Fla., where she and her many friends were on the go all the time. She spent her summers on Upper Street and enjoyed going to concerts, restaurants and spending time with her relatives and their children.

She leaves behind a son, William and his cat Mewllysses; her friend, Margaret Connell and children, Mary, Robbie, Cathy, Peter, Chris, and grandchildren, Yarrow and Lynx; Marguerite Emerson (the daughter she never had); many friends, relatives and the string section of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra.

She was predeceased by her husband Burton; and sisters, Amy and Margaret.