Florence Howard died peacefully in her home on Friday, May 18th. She was 94 years old. The cause of her death was congestive heart failure. Florence was in Hospice Care from May 9th until her death. Though her last days were not easy ones, Florence lived a long and rewarding life.
She was born to Joseph Charles (Barchini family) and Esther Charles (Hadeed family) in the small village of Amar, Syria. She came to the U.S. with her family when she was 6 years old. The family settled in Martins Creek and she grew up along the Delaware River, where she learned to swim against strong currents. Her love for swimming lasted into her nineties, and she was a regular at the Allentown YW/YMCA.
A graduate of Easton High School, Florence loved school and loved reading. Her strong interest in history reflected itself in her role as the family historian. Not only did she remember the birth dates and wedding dates of her immediate familyshe remembered those dates for all of her in-laws and nieces and nephews on both the Howard side and the Charles side of the family.
Florence met John Howard when she came to Allentown as a young woman in her twenties to work. They married on January 23, 1943. When their first and second daughters were born they lived in the Howard family home on N. Second St. in Allentown. As the family grew, they moved to Jordan St. and then to Catasaqua Avenue. It was on Catty Avenue that they made their deepest roots for themselves and for their children. After children were grown and out of the house they moved to Whitehall, but not far from Catty Avenue. Both Florence and John had their last days there. John died in December, 1978. A long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, Florence belonged to the women's quilting group and the women's Bible study group. She served on the Ahlan Board that was formed to help new Middle Eastern immigrant families to the U.S. She was one of the first people to support the Arabic-speaking ministry, and attended the services even though she could not fully understand the classical Arabic language. She was an active member of Presbyterian Women and a stalwart volunteer organizer for many church dinner theater occasions. She was also a member of Eastern Star.
The most important part of Florence's life was her family. She and John were married for 35 years and raised four children, and proudly sent all four children to college. Florence came from a family of good cooks. She was a great cook. Family and friends who ate her kibbee, tabouli, hrisi, and countless other Syrian foods proclaimed hers to be the best they'd ever had. She took great pride in her cooking and, in that great ethnic tradition, she loved to feed people.
Florence is survived by two daughters, Ruth of Allentown, and Linda of Philadelphia, and two sons, John and David, both of Coopersburg. Ruth is married to Charles Marcon. John is married to Louise Gentile Howard. Grandchildren are Liza and her late husband Charles Turner; Lara, and her husband, JV; Jody and his wife, Genevieve; Elizabeth and her husband, John; Lucia and her husband, Peter; and Janna. Great-grandchildren are Isiah and Caroline, Devan and Meena, and Max. Florence is survived by her treasured sister Sally Williamson of Whitehall. There are many nieces and nephews who will never forget her. Florence was predeceased by her brother, C.J. Charles, and her sisters Pauline Haddad and Amelia Haddad, and by her great-grandson Blue.
Services: Services are Wednesday, May 25 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, Cedar Crest and Tilghman Streets. Calling hour is at the church from 10 AM - 11 AM. Service is at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104 or to St. Luke's Hospice, St. Luke's Hospital, 1736 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18104. Weber Funeral Home, 1619 Hamilton Street, Allentown, is handling the arrangments. www.weberfuneralhomes.com.