SOUTHWICK – Florence (Johnson) Morgan, 93, died Thursday November 28, 2013. She was born in Westfield on September 21, 1920, to the late Carl and Mabel (Izold) Johnson. A life-long resident, she attended the one-room schoolhouse on North Longyard Road and the Consolidated Elementary School, and graduated from Westfield High School in 1937.Florence worked at the Springfield Armory from 1942-1945 starting as a Mechanical Learner, but was soon promoted to Assembler. She was the first woman to receive a Certificate for Outstanding Service in the production of the M-1 rifle. In later years, she worked part-time for the Southwick Post Office. She and her husband were on the founding members of the Pioneer Valley Square Dance Club in Westfield in the mid 1950’s and were regular Saturday night dancers at other clubs in the area. She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, and her family, especially her dozen great-grandchildren.
She was a parishioner of the Southwick Congregational Church and a member of the Southwick Historical Society and Women’s Club.
She leaves her loving husband of 67 years, Walter W. Morgan; son, Walter and his wife Karen of Northfield, MA; daughter, Jean Ketchale and husband Steve of Southwick; grandchildren, Jodi Nylund of Waterbury, CT, Lori Grazia and husband Eric of Southwick, Tami Westcott and husband Mike of Southwick, Adam Morgan and wife Lisa of South Glastonbury, CT, Shane Morgan and wife Kathryn of North Kingstown, RI and Katelyn Morgan of Hartford, CT.
Family and friends are invited to meet for calling hours on Sunday, December 1st from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick. Florence’s funeral ceremony will be held on Monday, December 2nd at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial and committal services in New Cemetery in Southwick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Southwick Historical Society Inc. P.O. Box 323, Southwick, MA 01077 or to the Southwick Congregational Church, P.O. Box 1260, Southwick, MA 01077.
