Obituary of Florence T. Lehner

LATHAM - Florence Theresa Lehner, passed away on June 10, 2023 peacefully and with dignity, her family at her side, at the age of 96.

Born on September 25, 1926 in New York City she was the cherished daughter of the late John (NYPD) and Caroline Mierau. She attended Dominican Commercial High School and Browns Business School in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. She was employed by Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. on Wall St., NYC.

Florence married the love of her life and childhood friend in 1947, Gerard "Bud" M. Lehner, in Jamaica, Queens, NY. In 1957 they moved to Latham, NY.

Florence had a wonderful sense of humor, at 4'11" she was feisty, fun and was extremely adventurous. She never hesitated to go for a ride on the back of a motorcycle, try out rollerblades, do cartwheels in our yard, jump on a giant tire tube with us or stand on her head against the wall. She drove a stick shift car and taught her daughters how to drive it. She enjoyed cocktails with her daughters. After she turned eighty "sex on the beach" became her drink of choice. Her love, selflessness, and perseverance have always guided us. She was positive through hard times and always found a way to see the good side of people and life. She was the strongest woman we ever knew and truly an inspiration and pillar of fortitude. To Mom, thank you for instilling in us the strength and resilience to keep moving forward each and every day without you by our side.

Florence had a passionate love for animals. She grew up surrounded by a menagerie of pets. Her father gifted her a pony named Bessie, a ram, a turtle and several dogs. Her favorite was "Skippy".

She enjoyed yoga, tai chi, cake decorating, ceramics, quilting and tole painting. She was a member of the Thunder Road Seniors, VFW Auxiliary Post #8692, President of CAPDESA Chapter Auxiliary Destroyer Escort Sailors and the Sweet Adelines.

Greater than anything else was Florence's love of her family. She is survived by her loving daughters: Carol Amyot (Dave Soulier), Cohoes, NY, Janet (Brian) Godey, Roseburg, OR, Paula (Eric) DeSimone, Mechanicville, NY, Joyce Rajkowski, Tribes Hill, NY, Debra (Jeffrey) Nier, Brooklyn, NY, and Diane (late Timothy) Vadney, Malta, NY. Also survived by her fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, siblings: Robert Daye, Citrus Heights, CA; Jean Cocot, Monticello, NY; Virginia Hetterich, Amityville, NY; Marilyn (Victor) Cristiano, Staten Island, NY; sister-in-law Susan Daye, Thomasville, NC; cousin; Rosemarie Nick, Hauppauge, NY; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband Florence was predeceased by her granddaughter Paulette Dempster, son-in-law; Timothy Vadney, brothers Percy and Joseph Daye, sisters Dorothy Story, Marie Belke, Marie Strom and Janice Kodim, cousin Bobby Kodim, brother-in-law, Peter Ford and sister-in-law, Gloria Ford as well as lifelong friends Henry and Phyllis Sullivan.

Our family is very thankful for Mariama Conde's compassion and kindness assisting our Mom for the past few years and we express our sincere gratitude to her amazing neighbors as she was able to remain in her family home.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 10:30 AM, at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd., Latham and will be celebrated by Rev. Brian Kelly.

Immediately following the mass Florence will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Bud, at Saratoga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Florence's name to: Parents of Murdered Children (pomc.org), Search and Rescue Dogs of United States (sardogsus.org), Shriner's Hospital for Children, (shrinerschildrens.org)

For further information please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com