Florence K. Stockman

Florence K. StockmanFlorence K. Stockman, age 81, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and formerly of Marshall, died Friday, May 19, 2006.Florence was born on July 11, 1924 in New York City to Maurice and Anna Claytor. Following the death of her father, Florence moved to Muskegon, Michigan with her mother and brother, David. They returned to New York City each summer and enjoyed going to the theatre and other musical performances. As a teenager, she especially liked seeing old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra. She graduated from Muskegon High School in 1942 and continued her education at Muskegon Junior College and Michigan State University. She received her B.A. in Home Management and Child Development from Michigan State University in 1946. Florence worked at daycare centers in Muskegon and Mt. Pleasant where she met her husband, Tracy Stockman. They were married from 1948 until 1965. They had three children, Guy, Gail and Gary. They lived in Niles, Dearborn, Frankenmuth and Gwinn prior settling in Marshall in 1962.Florence successfully completed the Intern Program in Battle Creek and became re-certified to teach in 1965. She taught kindergarten through third grade in the Marshall Public School System. She lived in Florida for a year where she worked for a federally funded preschool for children of migrant workers. Florence retuned to Marshall in 1972 and resumed teaching in elementary schools including, Hughes, Conley, Sherman and Gordon. She retired from teaching in 1988.Florence Stockman was a member of the Marshall Newcomers, the American Association of University Women, the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, and the Michigan and National Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of the Marshall Library Board and the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, going to sporting events and traveling. She traveled extensively throughout the United States with the Elder Hostel Association.She is survived by her daughter, Gail Stockman and her partner, Elizabeth Black of Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her two sons, Guy Stockman and Gary Stockman.Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is being planned in the fall. Friends may make memorial contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the Marshall District Library in Florence''s name. Assistance with memorials is available at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home. To leave a personal message and sign the on line guest register, please visit www.kempffhhome.com.