Mary Anita Floro

Mary Anita Floro 84, died June 10, 2021 in Fremont, Ohio – the same town in which she was born on August 16, 1936. She was born to Robert “Pop” & Isadora “Bunce” Thayer as the youngest of 4 siblings. Mary spent her younger years growing up on the farm with her 2 older brothers, Donal and Rodney, and a sister Dorothy (Harder). One of her many memories on the farm including getting tied up by her brothers who then proceeded to pantomime stretching and nailing her mouth open – to the great enjoyment of her father. She also was qualified in parachuting by jumping out of the haymow with a tractor umbrella and later completing her training by paragliding in the Swiss Alps for her 60th birthday. She was an “expert” marksman who was known to shoot duck decoys and rabbits that ran between her legs. Her mother insisted on her learning to play the piano and it remained a hobby that continued to the end of her life. Mary was an avid life-long Michigan State University Spartan fan since it was the alma mater of her parents, brothers, and other family members. After graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1954, she received her Associate Arts in Lab Technology degree from Elkhart University in Indiana. On October 23, 1955 she married her high school sweetheart Darrell Floro of LaCarne, OH. Primarily a homemaker, she invested in their 3 children, Kim, Chris, and Betsy. Mary was an active member of the local church where she sang in the choir and helped with various church activities such as youth group leader with Darrell, fundraisers, and typing recorded sermons each week. She also worked a number of years at the Finke Pharmacy, Camp Perry Billeting Office and helping out at Floro’s Marina. Other interests included knitting, camping, hiking in Switzerland, making (coloring) greeting cards and quilting – often being items that were gifts for her family and friends. Mary is survived by her husband of 65 years, Darrell; her children Kim (Tom) Reif (Clayton, MI), Chris (Holly) Floro (Fayetteville, NC), and Betsy (Steve) Frofrich (Oak Harbor, OH); 9 grandchildren (Edward, Carrie, Adam, Katharine, Rebekah, Benjamin, Emily, and Renee); and 14 great-grandchildren; her brothers Donal (Cincinnati, OH) and Rodney (Midlothian, VA); and brother-in-law Kent Floro (LaCarne, OH). Mary was preceded in death by her: parents, Pop & Bunce, her father-in-law & mother-in-law, Burdette & Verneda Floro, brother-in-law Keith Floro, grandson Benjamin (Reif), sister Dorothy (Harder), brother-in-law Max Harder, and sisters-in-law Sue and Audrey Thayer. Memorial services for Mary will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 9, 2021 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor. Memorial contributions in memory of Mary may be given to the Portage Fire Department, Oak Harbor or St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor. Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Oak Harbor is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.