BRIDGEWATER – Florence G. Zettergren, 63, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at Houlton Regional Hospital. She was born Feb. 4, 1944, in Mars Hill, the daughter of Thomas and Sara (Gray) Cook. She graduated from Bridgewater Classical Academy in 1962 and attended the Maine Medical Center School of Nursing. For more than 30 years, Florence served as a registered nurse in Maine, Connecticut and Minnesota. She had a great love of people, conversation and stories and brought these passions to light by founding Pieces of Eight Bookstore, Presque Isle. Her bookstore offered an escape not only to Florence, but also to her many friends who would stop in to enjoy a new piece of literature or just to visit and knit. Florence was a 25-year member of the Lunar Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and past mother advisor and past worthy advisor in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She also served on the Bridgewater Reunion Committee, Hansen Library Board of Trustees and Bridgewater Cemetery Association. She was a past member of the Presque Isle Rotary and a board member of PIACC. Florence displayed strength and compassion everyday. She always knew what part of herself to give those around her to allow them to persevere. Her personality took over whatever setting she entered. You always knew within the first minutes of walking into a room if Florence was present. Her laughter was contagious and alive with the essence of humility and grace. She loved Roy Rogers, old photographs, the smell of lilacs, paint peeling from the barn door, thunderstorms, her pets and her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Zettergren, who, in her words, was the “greatest thing that could have happened to her.” Gary and Flo were a strong couple, sharing a bond built on humor and understanding. It is a bond that will never break. Florence is also survived by her daughters, Sloan and Whitney. Florence was present at the girls’ double wedding Aug. 6, 2007, where Sloan married Scott Dionne and Whitney married Von Taggart. Florence is also survived by her sister, Donna Jones and her husband, Tom, and children, Patrick, Michael and Kaitlyn of Norwalk, Conn. She is survived by her cousins, Phil Gray of Mars Hill and John Barker of Bridgewater. Florence will be forever a part of the lives of her children and husband. She will always be present at the family farm in Bridgewater. Friends and family will be celebrating Florence’s life Aug. 16, at Aroostook Shrine Building, U.S. Route 1, Presque Isle. The “Flo”ebration will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday. Florence and Roy Rogers have ridden off into the sunset together. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com
FLORENCE G. (COOK) ZETTERGREN
