Florence Hamilton Jess

Florence Hamilton Jess, 90, who resided at Homestead Village since 1997, died peacefully in her sleep on October 18, 2010 surrounded by her loving daughters. Florence was preceded in death by C. Donald Jess, her loving husband and best friend of 57 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mary Hamilton, and one brother, Raymond Hamilton. Florence was born in New York City and raised in Dumont, NJ. Florence was a dedicated and loving mother to her four daughters, Nancy, wife of Joseph Murray of Bethel Park, PA; Priscilla, wife of Jerry Glasow of Alexandria, VA; Bonnie, wife of the late Stephen Lopane of Lancaster; and Barbara, wife of Arthur Grannell of Lancaster. She was a devoted grandmother to Matthew Lee Grannell, husband of Shea Whitney- Grannell of Lynchburg, VA, and Michael Scarselli and Marisa Niwa of Bethel Park, PA. Florence was “Aunt Judy” to her niece, Pamela Humphreys of Harrington  Park, NJ, as well as Pam’s children – Kim Humphreys, Debra Humphreys, Donald Humphreys, and Amy Battle, and grandchildren, Jack and Emma Battle, and Alexandra and Michael Humphreys. Florence was a graduate of Jersey City State Teacher’s College, Jersey City, NJ and
Columbia University, New York City, NY where she majored in elementary education. During World War II, Florence served in the USO where she helped to entertain the troops, most often at  Camp Shanks, with her best friend of over 80 years, the late Hazel McDowell Ryan. Florence began teaching in 1940 and taught kindergarten through third grade in the Bergenfield School District in Bergenfield, New Jersey where she met her husband, Don. They were married in 1947 at the Reformed Church in Dumont, New Jersey and made their home in Dumont and Oradell, New Jersey where their children were raised. In addition to being an elementary school teacher, Florence devoted her life to caring for her family. She later served as a substitute teacher in the Oradell Public School in Oradell. Florence played the piano and especially enjoyed playing for the children in her classes. Florence was a member of St. Matthew vangelical Lutheran Church, Lancaster and previously of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lancaster. At Homestead Village, Florence worked as a volunteer in The Village Gift Shoppe. Her family thanks the staff of omestead Village and the Hospice of Lancaster County Access Team and Inpatient Center for the truly wonderful care and support provided to her and her family. A memorial service will be held from St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, 700 Pleasure Rd., Lancaster on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at 11 AM. The family will visit with friends from 10 to 11 AM at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at the East Cochecton Cemetery in East Cochecton, New York in a family plot near her family’s homestead. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that gifts be made in Florence’s memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster.
PA 17604-4125. Arrangements by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home.

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