Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Turek
First Name	Florence
Middle Name
Maiden Name	Rideout
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Weymouth, MA
Date of Birth	1934-04-16
Place of Death
Date of Death	2022-12-01
Publication	BDN 2022-12-05
Obituary	Dover-Foxcroft - Florence had a framed quote expressing a life philosophy that she proudly followed; "Friends become our chosen families." She believed that the place where you lived was a central pillar of your life and was an active participant in all the communities in which she resided. After this last month of sharply declining health, Florence died peacefully on December 1, 2022. She was born April 16, 1934, in Weymouth, Mass., the sole child of Frank and Marion (Robinson) Rideout. She was a graduate of Weymouth High School (Class of 1952) and Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston, after which she attained a job at Boston's R.H. Stearns department store. During this time she was also very active in the local Universalist Church. On Sept. 6, 1958, she married widower Harold J. Turek and resided in Medford, Mass., where she raised five children, including Harold's two children from a previous marriage. In her Medford years she assisted Harold in his role as director of Ellis Memorial's summer camp program for low-income Boston kids, where she was respected and admired by dozens of children, some of whom would later become members of her extended family. In 1973 the family moved to her mother's home town of Dexter, where she and Harold opened the lunch counter The Friendly Spa. Many of the patrons of the Spa will remember her American chop suey, meatloaf, and other lunch specials. The retail space for the lunch counter was eventually split-off to create Dexter's first craft supply store, Custom Crafts, which she ran. During this time in Dexter she helped organize the first Dexter Days celebration and chaired the local Bicentennial committee in 1976. In 1980 the family moved to Garland - her father's home town - where she became active with the Garland Historical Society and helped organize town events. A lifelong learner, in later years she earned a Paralegal Studies Certificate from the University of Maine, and also became well versed in genealogical studies. Over the years she "adopted" several close friends, taking some of them into her home to help them get through rough patches in their lives. She had a generous heart. She is survived by her children, Frank Turek, Matthew Turek, Marietta Edgerly, and Debra Turek; and four grandsons: Alex and Cole Edgerly, Kaleb Mann, and Alex Turek. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold; and son, Daniel. She will also be remembered by the close friends she considered family. Contributions in her memory can be made to the #10 School House Reunion by mailing a check to Old Home Association, 402 Metcalf Rd., Winthrop, Maine 04364. A memorial service will be planned for April 2023. Published on December 5, 2022