Florence Desaulniers

Florence Victoria Desaulniers, age 94, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon. Born on January 5, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Florence "Flo", was the second of six children of John Garland and Emmie Butler. In 1951, Flo moved to Buffalo, New York, where she married Lawrence "Larry" Desaulniers. Three years later, Flo and Larry travelled cross-country from Buffalo to California and settled in Norwalk, California. Flo and Lawrence built a life together raising three children-Debra, Jerry, and Larry-and were married 41 years until his passing in 1992.

Flo became the first female Tariff Rate Clerk for Santa Fe Railway & Trucking Company, a role she held for nearly two decades. She relocated to Cathedral City, California in 1993. There she married Vincent "Vinnie" Galleto in 2001. While in the desert, Flo loved golfing, spending time with her grandchildren, and playing slots at the casino. She was best known for her easygoing nature and kindness to all. Flo was naturally magnetic and known for her sense of style. She lived life to the fullest during her final years in Houston, Texas and Eugene, Oregon.

Flo was preceded in death by her two spouses, Lawrence Desaulniers and Vincent Galleto; her parents, John Garland and Emmie Butler; and her siblings, Marge Taylor, Lorna Moore, and Sydney Garland. She is survived by her three children, Debra Desaulniers, Jerry Desaulniers, and Larry Desaulniers; two siblings, Lillian Meeds and John Garland; ten grandchildren, Yvette Desaulniers, Larry Jr. Desaulniers, Jacqueline Ward, Danielle Tucker, Suzette Desaulniers, Michael Desaulniers, Andrew Reck, Tristan Desaulniers, Gregory Reck, and Jennifer Desaulniers; and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

Despite having so many relatives, Flo took great pride in remembering each of their birthdays by sending cards or making phone calls. Flo's legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with her unwavering generosity and unconditional love. In accordance with her wishes, Flo's ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean, where her loving spirit will move freely with the tides. No services are planned.