Florence Roberta Thuot

It is with deepest sorrow we share that Florence Roberta Feth Thuot passed away Feb. 9, 2024, quietly and peacefully in her sleep at Hospice in Orange City. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Florence lived an extraordinary life, was a remarkable woman, and blazed a trail unique only to her. Having just celebrated her 96th birthday in December, Florence took on her angel wings and reunited with her beloved family while also crossing over the Rainbow Bridge to meet up with her many precious pets.
Her legacy was reflected in her passion to provide comfort to abandoned, abused and unwanted animals through her nonprofit organization Journey's End Animal Sanctuary in DeLand. She dedicated herself to supporting all less fortunate animals her entire life, but in Florida for more than 40 years. We know she wants her mission to live on, and to be continued by her many friends and followers.
Florence was a longtime Florida resident, moving to DeLand from DeBary in 1976, after her husband, Paul William Thuot, retired from the military.
She is survived by her daughter, Sally Gillespy Thuot; three grandchildren, Morgan Elizabeth Gillespy of London, England, Renee Anne Gillespy of Salem, New York, and Stuart James Gillespy of Denver; three great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Jessica Harley Siroido Feth of High Falls, New York. Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Paul William Thuot, son Mark Allen Thuot, and by her brother, James A. Feth Sr. (husband of Jessica) of High Falls.
Florence was born in a small village in Chile, the daughter of Otta A. Feth, a civil engineer, and Florence Ghear Feth. She lived there through her teenage years with her brother, after her mother died in childbirth.
Florence was schooled in both Caracas, Venezuela, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, before moving to the United States and graduating with a degree in education. Instead of teaching though, she became a physical therapist, helping through the polio epidemic of 1947.
Florence married Paul William Thuot shortly thereafter. He joined the military as part of the U.S. Air Force Security Services. He was then deployed overseas and stationed in Munich, Germany, where they adopted two children, Sally and Mark, in 1956.
The family returned to the U.S., residing in Riverside, California, until 1963, when another overseas assignment placed them in Greece (Crete) until 1969.
Florence was a spirited, strong-willed, and very independent woman and enjoyed many accomplishments.
She was a powerful athlete - an Olympic swimmer who swam against Johnny Weissmuller (who became the first Tarzan). She skied the Alps, enjoyed scuba diving, and even flew in a biplane. At age 60, she went skydiving over DeLand.
Florence was an artist (oil painter) and a concert pianist playing for Fred Waring. In her later years, she was part of a jazz band in DeLand. She loved the theater - acting, directing, and participating in local shows both at home and abroad. She was one of the founding members of early DeLand Players, as well as the historic Shoestring Theater. Florence has even worked at the most dangerous women's prison in California, bringing theater as therapy to the inmates there.
Florence always tried to help those in need, be it people or animals. She was an incredibly hard-working woman, a compassionate person, animal advocate, and always enjoyed teaching/educating whomever she came in contact with.