Florence Fohey
Florence Fohey, 86, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 3:12 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, surrounded by family at her home in Palmyra.
Florence was born Feb. 5, 1935, in Fort Lee, N.J., to William P. and Mary E. Reczek Phillips. She was married to James F. Fohey on Nov. 7, 1959 in Colchester, Vt.
Florence Fohey
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, James F. Fohey; six children, Catherine Ann Akright, Palmyra; James Frank Fohey, Jr. (Pam Harmon), Independence, Mo.; Karen Marie Dames (Ross), Palmyra; Carol Ann Benevento (Joe), Kirksville, Mo.; Brenda Sue Bland (Steve), Palmyra; and John Lee Fohey (Cathy), Palmyra; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Elton (Bob), Ann Arbor, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Francis, Stanley and William Phillip and son-in-law, Rocky Akright.
After high school Florence went on to the Jean Nance School of Nursing in Burlington, Vt., to earn her registered nursing degree. She worked for 25 years at St. Elizabeth Hospital and through its transition to Hannibal Regional Hospital from where she retired. After retirement, Florence worked for Dr. Carl Kruse for several years.
Florence enjoyed the role of wife and mother, traveling whenever they could together, sewing clothes for her children as they grew up and teaching the skill to her daughters so that one day they were able to sew their own wedding gowns.
She had a servant’s heart and gave to her community in many ways, including as a member of the St. Joseph Church Altar Society and the St. Joseph Caterers and in ministry to the homebound by bringing them communion. Spending those precious moments with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought joy to her heart. She was loved and adored by many and will be missed dearly.
Florence was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra. Father Gerry Kaimann will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Adam Fohey, Daniel Dames, Joey Benevento, Ryan Bland, Alec Bland, Philip Bland, Benjamin Bland and John Stanley Fohey.
Honorary pallbearers will be her beautiful granddaughters.
Friends and family are invited to Florence’s life celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday Nov. 29, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. A rosary will follow at 7 p.m., with Deacon Luke Mahsman.
Memorials may be made to Birthright, Missouri Right to Life-Hannibal Chapter, or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute may be viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.
