SOUTH THOMASTON — Florence E. ‘Flo’ Leach, 76, died Thursday, January 5, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 14, 1946, she was the daughter of Pitt H., Jr. and Evelyn Jackson Boyington. During her early years, Florence lived with her family in Kittery until moving with them to Mars Hill.

The Boyington family later moved to Rockland, where Flo attended local schools and graduated from Rockland District High School. She later earned an associates degree in liberal arts studies from the University of Maine.

Flo was the consummate mother, actively involved in her children’s lives and care, and always kept an open door for any of their friends or anyone in need. For several years she operated a day-care from her home and for a time served as a teacher at Coastal Child Care. She also served many years as a substitute teacher for SAD 5 schools during her time as a child development teacher. She ultimately retired after several years’ service as an operator with Seacoast Security, Inc.

She loved crochet and knitting and made countless layette sets and baby blankets for the Navy-Marine Relief Society, and more recently knit many hats and mittens for the Area Interfaith Outreach program.

Flo considered Elaine Sprague of Rockland to be her best and life-long friend.

Other than her parents, Flo was predeceased by her companion of many years, Paul Mahonen, Sr.

She is survived by her children, Paul (Jennifer) Leach of Waldoboro, Eric (Jennifer) Novicka of Bulls Gap, Tennessee; Janine (Michael) Giggey of Montville, Charlene Lehman of Tennessee; her siblings, John (Allison) Boyington of Appleton, Alice (Edward) Farnham of South Amity, Debby (Chris) Hazen of Pittston; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Flo’s life will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 12 p.m., at the Winslow, Holbrook, Merritt American Legion Post No. One, 335 Limerock Street, Rockland.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the South Thomaston Ambulance, P.O. Box 147, South Thomaston, ME 04858.

To share a memory or story with Flo’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.