Florence M. Klein (nee Goodridge) age 104, of Butler passed away peacefully on Wednesday July 18, 2018 in the presence of and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Florence was born in Paterson to Jacob and Florence Goodridge.  When Florence was born she was one of twins at birth.  Her twin brother passed away at birth and Florence was born very premature and only weighed one and a half pounds.  She was not expected to live more than two weeks. She was one of three children and grew up in Paterson graduating from Eastside High School with the class of 1932.  Florence was a part of a group in our society that has become known of late as “The Greatest Generation.”  People of the Greatest Generation are people who grew up during the depravation of the Great Depression and later as young adults bore witness to the Second World War.

After graduating from Eastside High School, Florence went to work for a few different Hosiery Companies in Paterson over the next couple of years.  While working at one of those outfits, Florence met a handsome young man by the name of Alfred Klein.  The dated for a couple of years and as fate would have it, they fell in love and were married in 1939 at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paterson.  Shortly after getting married, Alfred felt the call to serve our country and enlisted in the United States Army.  He was stationed in England during his service and subsequent to returning from Europe, Florence and Alfred settled in Clifton.  They lived there for a few years and then moved to Paterson.  It was in Paterson where they would live for many years and raise their two children.

Following her employment at the hosiery companies, Florence earned a position as an Administrative Assistant at Lackawanna Railroad, which later became Erie Lackawanna, and then finally Conrail.  She worked there for twenty-two years while raising her two children and retired in 1980.

Florence enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, and the occasional visit to a casino.  She enjoyed traveling with her sister Ellen and also with her husband and children.   They often took spontaneous vacations to Ocean City, MD and other locations.  For many years she was dedicated to her Episcopal Faith and was a long time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paterson where she was very active and participated in the Choir and Drama Club.  She was quite talented at crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and embroidery.  She made countless gifts for her family which were often comparable to a professional’s skill and were often times framed.  She was also an avid bowler when she was younger and played in various local bowling leagues.  Her family remembers her as being quiet, easy going, and “taking everything with a grain of salt”.  She was often stern with her children and grandchildren but she was fair and loved them dearly.  Because Florence worked long days, often leaving before 6AM and coming home well after 6PM, her husband Alfred was the one who did the cooking for the family and Florence cleaned the house.  Florence and Alfred cherished over sixty-two years of loving and loyal marriage until Alfred’s passing in 1999.

Aside from all of Florence’s hobbies, talents and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing meant more to Florence than providing for and spending time with her family.  Florence was an extraordinary person who received the gift of a long, fruitful life and didn’t waste it.  She touched the lives of countless people and she will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Florence is survived by her daughter Beverly Risden of Butler, one son, Robert Klein and his wife Sandra of Bloomingdale, three grandchildren; Sherri Hahn and her husband Joe of West Milford, Christine Klein of West Milford, and Robert Klein, Jr. and his wife Marianna of Ogdensburg, seven great grandchildren; Robert, Nicholas, Madison, Sophia, Zoey, Brodie, and Dallas; Nephew; James Goodridge, Many nieces and nephews and Great nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Alfred Klein in 1999, as well as her sister Ellen Wiseman (2016) and her brother James Goodridge.

Those planning to make a donation in Florence’s name are asked to consider Make-A-Wish Foundation New Jersey, Gift Processing Center, 1702 E. Highland Ave, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016.