Margaret Mary Sullivan Florence 81, of Stratford, CT, passed away peacefully early on Sunday morning, September 7, 2014 with her family by her side. Marge was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 10, 1933 to the late William and Anne Sullivan of Bridgeport, CT. Shortly after her birth, the family moved back to the Park City where she graduated from St. Patrick's Grammar School in Bridgeport, CT and to this day she is still best friends with people she met in Kindergarten. She graduated from Central High School and continued on to St. Joseph's College in West Hartford where she received a BS in Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. Later in life Marge received her Master's Degree from Fairfield University. Marge was married to James Florence on August 5, 1958; they were married 49 wonderful years before his death in 2007.
Marge worked as a nursing recruiter for Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia for many years while Jim was serving in the United States Navy. Upon his retirement from active duty Marge and her family relocated to Bridgeport, CT where she worked at St. Vincent's School of Nursing as a nursing recruiter followed by several years as the Dean of Admissions at the newly formed St. Vincent's College before retiring in 1999. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, knitting, sewing, traveling, bingo, computer games and watching TV, especially Jeopardy. Proud of her Irish Heritage, Marge loved working on the family tree. She was a diehard sports fan. Marge loved both UCONN men's and women's basketball, the CT Suns, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the San Antonio Spurs and Army/Navy Football. She performed many years of service with both St Patrick's school and Notre Dame Catholic High School, which included Cabaret events. She was active in St. Patrick's Church as a lector. She was a member of their Ladies Guild, Parish Nurses Program, and Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Marge started the Prayer Shawl Ministry -a service close to her heart at both St. Pat's and Blessed Sacrament Parishes. She was a member of the St. Joseph's Alumni Association and the Connecticut Nurses Association. Marge is survived by her children and their families, Nancy Sweeney and her husband Frank of Stratford and their children Morgan and Emma; Michael Florence and his wife Gail of Ansonia, and their children Jennifer, Caroline, Jeffrey, Brittany and Daniel; great grandchildren Zachary and Cheyenne and Greg Florence and his wife Kelly of Virginia Beach, VA and their children, Graham, Jonathan and Rachel She is also survived by the last living cousins of her generation, her first cousins Jack Howe and Sis Bepko. Marge is predeceased by her husband James and first cousins Mac, Rita, Bill and Joan whom, as an only child, she considered as siblings. She is also survived by her godchildren, other family members, and her many wonderful friends. We would like to extend our most grateful thanks to the many doctors and nurses who have taken care of Marge over the years. We thank the Stratford Fire and Rescue for their efforts in trying to save a life and the ER staff who showed much compassion to her family during her passing. Finally, we thank the caring communities of St. Patrick's Parish and Notre Dame High School for all of their loving support. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Patrick Church, 851 North Avenue, Bridgeport on Friday September 12 at 10.00 am. Friends may call on Thursday, September 11 from 4-8 pm at the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Pl, Stratford, CT. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Cathedral Parish 170 Thompson St. Bridgeport, CT 06604.