Florinette Marie Fernande (Roberge) Schon, widow of Otto Woodrow Schon, passed away on February 8, 2016, in her home in Milford, VA. She was 94. Born February 6, 1922, in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, she was the daughter of Joseph Alphonse Roberge and Marie Louise (“Louisiana”) Dallaire. She was named Florinette “Little Flower” after St. Teresa the Little Flower, but was called Flo by all who knew her.

In 1924, when Florinette was 2 years old, her family moved from Canada to Bristol, CT. The family owned and operated a dairy farm on Stafford Ave. A few years later, her brother, Leo Roberge, established the Roberge Dairy milk bottling plant and ice cream bar.

Florinette attended Bristol schools and a Catholic boarding school in Nicolet, Quebec, Canada run by the Sisters of the Assumption. Unknown to Flo at the time, Nicolet was named after one of her ancestors, Jean Nicolet. After graduation, she returned home and worked as a bookkeeper in the office of Roberge Dairy, preparing payrolls, paying bills, and dealing with the tax man.

On October 12, 1946, Flo married Otto Woodrow Schon at St. Matthews Church in Forestville, CT. Together they enjoyed dancing, bowling, and various activities at St. Matthews Church and later at St. Gregory’s Church. Family was paramount to Flo. She and Otto provided a loving and caring home for their children. Flo and her friends belonged to a group called the “Mother’s Circle,” and she had close relationships with many cousins and friends. In 1951, Flo became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Florinette moved to Virginia 24 years ago to live with her son, Mark, and his family. They shared many new experiences together. For the past ten years Flo has been lovingly cared for by her daughter, Susan, with support from her brothers and other family members.

Flo was preceded in death by her husband, Otto; her parents; her brothers, Rene, Odilon (Bidou), Aurelien (Harold), Leo, Fernand (Freddie), Paul, and Joseph; and her sisters, Irene, Marie Rose, and Laurette. Three other siblings passed away in early childhood.

Flo is survived by her daughter, Susan and son Mark (Robin Weinhold) of Milford, VA and sons Thomas and John of Bristol, CT, and Gregory (Lori) of Unionville, CT;  12 grandchildren, Michael (Pam Jones) and Kevin (Melissa) Schon, Gretchen Schon Mundy; Sherri, Susie, Stacie, and Sarah Jo Schon; Jason and Eric Schon; Calla (Ron) Summa, Samantha, and Anthony Schon; and 5 great-grandchildren: Noah, Kate, Claire, and Seth Schon, and Callum Mundy. A sister, Janet Gelbar (Donald) of Bristol, CT and many nieces and nephews also survive her.

The family would like to thank the special women who helped care for Flo over the years: Dannetta Coleman, Kelly O’Connor, Amy Radics, Pamela Balderson, and Natasha James. They became part of the family. Thank you also to Medi Home Health and Hospice of Fredericksburg, VA, for their invaluable help over the past 4 years.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on July 1, 2016, at St. Gregory’s Church in Bristol, CT, followed by a graveside service at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bristol, CT.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, 90 Park Avenue, 16^th Floor, New York, NY 10016  https://bbrfoundation.org/memorial-tribute