Obituary of Florence Mountain

Florence May Mountain, a mother and volunteer, passed away after a long battle with cancer at the Aberjona Nursing Center in Winchester on Monday night, May 3, 2010. She was 77 years old. Florence was born in Boston, the daughter of the late John and Florence Geoghegan. She grew up in Dorchester and was a graduate of St. Anne’s High School. She furthered her education at a secretarial school. Over the years, Florence worked for periods at New England Telephone and at Grants, but her most important responsibility was that of wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a loving homemaker and was devoted to the care of her children, David, Paul, and Laura. She supported them in their activities, interest, sports, and education. She worked extensively with her son Paul and his special needs. It was a labor of love to work with him to grow as a person and become more independent. She was also blessed to have 4 wonderful grandchildren and to be part of their lives. Florence had a numbered of interests and activities. She was involved in town government as a member of Burlington’s elected Town Meeting. She was an avid Boston sports fan. She followed the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics. She loved visiting Cape Cod. She enjoyed crafts, knitting, and crocheting. She shared these talents with the residents of the Aberjona Nursing Center and Long Meadow Palace Assistant Living facility as a volunteer. It gave great joy to brighten the day of these seniors. Florence was the beloved wife of Retired Burlington Fire Fighter,Walter H. Mountain of Burlington. She was the loving mother of David W. Mountain & his wife Paula of Danvers, Paul Mountain of Arlington, and Laura A. Majore & her husband Jeff of Amherst, NH. She was the sister of John “Jack” Geoghegan & his wife Barbara of Sandwich. She was the proud grandmother of Sarah & Andrew Mountain and Abigayle & Garrett Majore. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, May 8 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St., Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Florence’s name may be made to the Francis Donnelly House, c/o David Webb, 998 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476. Family Remembrance by David Good Morning, my family and I thank you for coming today. I would like to say a few brief words about my Mom. Mom grew up in Dorchester with her Dad, John, Mother Florence, and her brother Jack. Mom attended St. Ann’s as a school girl and marched in their band as a majorette. Her Dad was a Police Detective with the Boston Police Dept. He died when my mother was young and she missed him very much. As a young adult Mom had many girlfriends and she told us about her trips to Virginia Beach and going to Dude Ranches on vacations. Perhaps this is why she loved her Western Movies so much and especially John Wayne. During her stay at Aberjona she always had the western channel. My grandmother was also a resident of Aberjona Nursing home and that is when my Mom began volunteering. She enjoyed instructing the residents in craft classes. She loved especially to make wreaths and holiday crafts for everyone. She also loved to crochet. She did this up until the last few weeks of her life. Many family members and friends have been the recipients of an afghan that has the label “love by Dolly” sewn on it. As a mother and a wife, Mom loved her family, giving all of her time to us. Mom worked hard running the house as Dad worked several jobs. She had a station wagon and was always driving me and my sister to practices, games and events. She was always at my games yelling the loudest. When I went to college she would have no problem driving down to Bridgewater to pick me up after a weekend baseball game. She would send be back with clean clothes and a fresh batch of brownies. From scratch never a box. Mom loved having her hair done and “days of beauty” with my sister Laura. They enjoyed going shopping, out to lunch and creating crafts together. As you know my brother Paul has special needs. My Mom and Dad raised him at home for 42 years, always trying to do what they thought was best. Mom would tell the story that when my brother was born the doctors told my parents to leave him at the hospital and to just go home. That was common back then. They dedicated themselves to raising him. She always worried about him, but he now lives in a wonderful group home in Arlington and is doing great. She doesn’t have to worry anymore. Mom loved her grandchildren very much and she spent as much time as she could with them. She asked everyday how they were doing and wanted to know what was going on in their lives. She loved to bring them gifts and spoil them, even when we told her not to. She did anyways. Her favorite game to play with them was Bingo. Mom loved her sports, Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics. It didn’t matter she always had a game on and she would schedule our Sunday dinners around the games. She was a huge fan. A highlight for her was when she and my Dad took a trip to Paradise Island. In Logan Airport she met Ted Williams and she talked of how nice he was. Mom’s last few years were filled with illness. For over 4 years she endured chemotherapy every other week. She fought hard and endured much. We want to thank the staff of Abajona Nursing Home and Hospice for taking such good care of Mom. On several occasions she instead on buying Chinese food for the entire staff on her floor and had them all come to her room to show her appreciation. Mom, now there is no more sickness, chemotherapy, needles, blood test, scans and waiting for hours on end in the doctor’s office just to be seen. Now you can enjoy spending time with your Mom and Dad, aunts and uncles whom you loved very much. I am sure you have heard the saying “A mother job is never done”. Well Mom now you may rest knowing that your job is done and it was done well. We will miss you and always love you.