Florence K. Wollaston

Florence "Tootsie" Kiser Price Wollaston was born November 22, 1931, in Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her parents, Minnie James and William Kiser, who migrated from the South. Florence was the fourth of five children, all whom are predeceased which included one brother William Jr. (of the WW II 761st Battalion) and three sisters, Evelyn, Muriel, and Helen. She went on to raise four children of her own. She is predeceased by her daughter Patricia, her son Winston and her loving grandson Mashariki. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son Keith of Windsor, CT (and his wife Doris) and her daughter Crystal of New Haven, CT. Her beautiful grandchildren, Keith II of Omaha, NE (and his wife Laura), Kelli of Windsor, CT(and her partner Von) and five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Brooklynn, Mya, Roman, and Leo. Florence also leaves behind her nieces Lavinia, Edie, nephew Raymond (and his wife Diane) and a host of great nieces, nephews and friends.
Raised in Hartford, Florence, who was always called "Tootsie", grew up in the newly developed Bellevue Square (1941). At that time, it was a blessing as it was the Kiser's first residence with heat and hot water. They were proud to be living there, and that is where Florence would start a family of her own.
As a child and teen, Florence was an avid athlete, playing organized team softball (New England Champ Tigerettes), basketball, and ping pong. She attended Weaver high School in the late 1940s and went on to complete many college courses over the years.
Florence spent her teen years proudly working summers on the massive tobacco farms in Windsor and many years at the famous G. Fox & Company store on Main St. Most of her adult working years were spent with the Federal Government (DoD) located at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. "Because of her work ethic " (Defense Plant Representative Office, 1994), Florence consistently qualified for promotions. Starting as a clerk in 1968, she retired in 1994 as a Quality Assurance Specialist and Training Monitor after 28 years of dedicated service. Throughout those years, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and participated in Toastmasters and bowling leagues.
Florence became a member and served on the West Indian Social Club's Ladies Auxiliary 1970-1983, when they merged with the WISC's main body. She served the organization tirelessly in numerous capacities over the years. She served as the secretary for the Over-Forty Committee as well as Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee. Her time with WISC was near and dear to her heart, and she was proud to be a Lifetime Member.
Florence remained active in her home church of over 40 years, North United Methodist Church in Manchester. She served on the Manchester Area Council of Churches, where she volunteered overnights at a local shelter. In addition to her roles with WISC and the Church, Florence was very involved with the Manchester Senior Center where she helped to form the first Advisory Board and cherished Thursday visits with her sister, Murial.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 10 from 10 am - 12 noon with a funeral service at 12 noon, at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St. Manchester, CT 06042. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North United Methodist Church 300 Parker St, Manchester, CT 06042, or Hartford West Indian Social Club, 3340 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120 or Manchester Senior Center, 549 Middle Turnpike E, Manchester, CT 06040.