Florence Neubecker

FLORENCE J. NEUBECKER (nee Pugely), passed away April 1, 2017, aged 93 years, beloved wife of the late Thomas Forest, dear mother of Mark (Sharon), Thomas (deceased), Chris (Audrey) and Joan, loving grandmother of Joseph (Whitney), Luke, Andrew (Courtney), Daniel, John (Bekah) and Joshua, great-grandmother of Anderson and Pippa, devoted daughter of the late Frank and Jennie (nee Debevec) Pugely, cherished sister of Frank Pugely (Patty – deceased) and the late Lillian Smith (George) and Jo Lea (Robert), fond aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Florence was born in Cleveland January 21,1924. She grew up in Garfield Heights living on Plymouth Avenue with her folks, the eldest of two sisters and brother. A Graduate of Garfield Heights High school in 1941. My Mother’s first job while in high school was for the South End News, then she worked at the Hanna Building Insurance Company, 25$ a week. Her next job was at Fisher & Body typing reports. (On a typewriter with a double carriage. The company was making parts for nuclear bombs and airplanes). She was an active member in the Slovene Choral and dramatic groups and a member of the Little Flower Cadets,No. 47,SWU and Nos Dom No.50SDZ. She heard there was a shortage for nurses in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, so she went to Saint Luke’s and graduated in 1947. She got room and board to work and learn there. It has now been turned into a Senior Citizen Nursing Home. Next she worked at the Carnegie Medical Building to work for Dr. Spiker. She worked as a nurse for four years. She preferred to work with the delivery of babies over the Emergency Room.

Florence met Tom Neubecker November 15,1947. Her first date with Tom was going to a Slovenian Wedding at the Slovenian National Home on Saint Clair Avenue and then to a Case Football Victory Game football party. Tom was on the Case football team and President of his class (My Mom wore a blue skirt and jacket). They dated one and half years and then got married September 1,1949. They stayed at the Cleveland Hotel. When my father told them it was their honeymoon night, the man charged them nothing! They spent their honeymoon in Pittsburgh and also went to Niagara Falls. They moved to Pittsburgh,P.A. and my father worked at Duquesne Lighting. The following year they returned to Cleveland Heights,Ohio. Then my father worked at General Electric. They had their first son Mark.  Then Tommy, Chris and a daughter Joan.

Florence enjoyed being a homemaker. My folks always had us involved in various activities: tennis, swimming, track, piano, guitar and art classes while we were growing up. My Mother and Father always planned a special summer vacation somewhere as well : Washington D.C, NYC, Florida.

Going to a Catholic church, St. Ann’s, when growing up, my mother continued being involved with the Christian church and enjoyed listening to Billy Graham and Joel Osteen. She also had her favorite television shows: Dr.Oz, Rachel Maddow, Charlie Rose, CNN News, Rick Steve’s Travel show.

She continually created an extensive collection of movies and photo memories of her family along. She enjoyed gardening, politics, going to musicals, art museums, cooking, baking, and loved family celebrations and yearly Family Reunions with singing. She went by three different names, Pug, Aunt Noni and Flo. She weekly read the Plain Dealer and New York Times, her favorite section was the Forum. Florence also enjoyed reading and was often calling the Cleveland Heights Library for information. Florence was involved in Peace Action, Nuclear Freeze and AMLA. She is the last speaking Slovenian in the family. She would often end her phone conversation with you by saying Z’ Bogom “Go With God”.

Please remember her as someone who enjoyed her family immensely!  ~ by Joan Neubecker

Private family service with burial in Lake View Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID.