Florence R. Ergin

Florence R. Ergin, 89, of West Hartford passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023. She lived a long full life faithfully alongside her many friends and beloved family, too numerous to enumerate here. They all know who they are.

Florence was the daughter of John and Nellie Roman of Waterbury and is predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Michael T. Ergin, M.D. (2005); her daughter, Meliha E. Niemann (2016); her son, Turhan M. Ergin (1988), and her sister Zana Assenza (2019) of Hingham, MA. Turhan was killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103, over Lockerbie, Scotland. Both Florence and Mike would spend the rest of their lives working with the Victims of Pan Am 103 organization.

Early in her life Florence worked as a registered nurse, graduating from UConn School of Nursing in 1956. She earned her Master's degree in Nursing from Columbia University in 1958, returning to UConn as a professor of nursing. By all accounts she excelled as a teacher. Following a break while starting a young family, Florence later returned to nursing to assist in the office of her husband, Mike, a surgical oncologist affiliated with Hartford Hospital.

Florence was a devoted wife and mother of three sons and a daughter. Her attention to detail was impeccable, reflected in her home, in preparation of everyone's favorite treats and meals, and in how she selflessly took care of her family, extended family, and friends.

When Turhan's involvement in performing arts blossomed, Flo and Mike rekindled a passion for live theater. They maintained season tickets at The Bushnell, Connecticut Repertory Theater, and The Goodspeed Opera House, and frequently traveled to New York and Boston for Broadway productions. They shared this passion with a group of close friends, frequently planning their evenings together as "dinner and a show".

As a mother Florence always maintained a safe, comfortable and fastidious home. Her sons might say, too fastidious. She worked tirelessly (or so her children perceived) to have hot breakfasts ready before school and family dinners prepared every evening. No detail was to her too small. While there are many examples to highlight her culinary approach to caretaking, one which stands out is her holiday baking extravaganzas. At these times she could be found at the table, scissors in hand, meticulously cutting currants in half and raisins in quarters, as her mother had taught her, for mince squares. This, we were told, makes all the difference.

Florence touched many lives through her generosity of time, effort and affection. When her daughter, Meliha, was battling and ultimately succumbing to cancer, Flo, already in her early 80's, dropped everything to move to Massachusetts and take over. She worked tirelessly to feed and care for her ailing daughter and her two grandsons, Lucas and Will, while they finished high school.

Within her group of friends, their most notable shared characteristic was their sense of humor. In particular, they had the ability to laugh at themselves and poke fun at each other. This was especially true with her sister, Zana. These sisters when together were a laugh riot. Whether watching endless episodes of The Golden Girls, dressing in identical outfits, or reminiscing over childhood hijinks the two were regularly found giggling uncontrollably.

Goodnight dear Florence, your family and friends will miss you desperately. We are now all poorer for your loss.

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest…

Visitation will be Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com