Obituary of Florence M. Ridz

Florence M. (Bollman) Ridz, age 99, passed peacefully on October 12, 2023, after a brief hospitalization. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley and son William. She was born in Defiance, Pennsylvania, as the middle child of five to the late Luther T. and Nellie W. (Wilson) Bollman. Florence graduated as a Certified Nursery Aide at Children’s County Home in Washington, D.C. After marriage to Stanley and a move to Palmer, she became involved in local activities such as the Quabaug Grammar School PTA, yearly canvassing for the March of Dimes, and, as a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, the Rosary Sodality. She also led a Girl Scout Brownie troop for several years and participated as an assistant leader for the Boy Scouts. Her sewing talents created clothing for herself and daughters, doll clothes, crewel embroidery pieces, quilting, tatting, hooked rugs, and knitted sweaters. Florence’s culinary skills included making homemade relishes and canning many fruits and vegetables from their garden. Hand picked wild blueberries and grapes became delicious jams, and nuts from their property trees in autumn appeared in the variety of baked goods she produced. A stunning colorful rock garden she planted with peonies, cosmos, and zinnias often drew compliments from passers-by. Florence was a lifelong Democrat who remembered listening to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” on the radio. She was especially interested in local town politics, as was Stanley who served on committees. In retirement, she and Stanley enjoyed their lakeside cottage in Holland and trips to Maine and Vermont. Florence is survived by daughter Dolores Elkas of Palmer; daughter Brenda Kleinman and husband Ron of Barkhamsted, CT; grandson Brian Kleinman and wife Sara; granddaughter Brooke Kleinman and Jason Frascino; and five great-grandchildren: Grant, Luke, Caleb, Edson, and Tova, all of CT. She is also survived by her sister Dolores Hepschmidt of Liverpool, PA. Beers and Story has charge of arrangements. Service and burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, 25 Carew Street, Chicopee, MA, 01020 or www.foodbankwma.org