Obituary of Florence W. Dodge

Florence Dodge, of Woodstock died Saturday, December 31, 2005, at her home. Florence Wilhelimina Johnson Dodge 2005, went home to her Lord and heavenly family. A remarkable woman, Florence was an almost life long resident of Woodstock. Born on December 30, 1912, to Christina and Robert Johnson of Corona, New York, Florence was the third of five children. At the age of 8, her family left Long Island, trading life in a growing city for the challenges of a small family farm in West Woodstock. Here in Woodstock, they joined a community of their Swedish family and friends already emigrated from N.Y. Florence attended the West school, a one-room schoolhouse situated on the present site of the West Woodstock library. She was a graduate of Woodstock Academy and the first recipient of the Yale Cup Award. In 1934, she graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After a short teaching assignment in Gilead, Connecticut, Florence returned home to become a highly sort after substitute teacher for the one-room schools of Woodstock. During the late 30s, she served as a recreation instructor for the Town of Putnam, teaching archery, golf and swimming. In August 1940, on the grounds of the family farm, Florence married Bryant Aldrich Dodge. Together with the help of the Johnson family, they planned and built a small cape style house on a corner of family property. The couple borrowed a team of horses from a neighbor and scooped out a hand-dug foundation for their new home. Constructed almost entirely of 38 hurricane lumber, their beloved Little Red House was completed the following year, and carried a balance due for construction of sh.15. During her married life, Florence became a homemaker, Sunday school teacher, community participant and provider of childcare for working families. During these years she created quality and enriching experiences for her children, her grandchildren, and for the children of other families that she nurtured during their growing years. She opened their eyes and hearts to the beauty and wonder of Gods creation and love, accepted everyone for the person they were, worried about them but committed them to the love and care of her Lord. She took time to play with the children and to give the most precious gift of all, herself. Florence loved books and writing, keeping daily journals for much of her adult life. She knew Gods earth as an intimate friend, delighting in the wonder of the moon and stars, the delicacy of his plants and trees, and the flow of clouds across an ever-changing canvas of sky. She memorized and shared with old and young alike, her love of poetry and of Gods word. At 93, Florence has outlived most of her family; her husband Bryant Aldrich Dodge, her mother Christina Lundquist Johnson, her father Robert William Johnson, a brother Walter Robert Johnson, sisters Anna Elizabeth Johnson Anderson and Elna Sophia Johnson and many beloved cousins. Florence leaves a sister, Alice Johnson Anderson of Windham, her children and their families; Dorinda Dodge Lundin and husband Emil of Woodstock, Timothy N. Dodge and wife Bonnie of Woodstock, Sandra S. Dodge of Woodstock; grandchildren Michael B. Dodge and wife Shannon of Niantic, Christopher A. Dodge and wife Erin of Woodstock, James Lanning and wife Crystal of Colchester, Heather L. Lanning Hoag and husband Raymond of Sevierville, TN; great-grandchildren Gavin, Ashton, Seyla, Skylar, Jonah, and Meaghan, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. A Celebration of Life for Florence will be held on Saturday, January 7th at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of The Good Shepherd, Bradford Corner Road. Woodstock. Connecticut. There are no calling hours. Gifts of love may be made in Florences name to Hospice of Northeastern Connecticut, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260 or the Church of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 243, South Woodstock, CT 06267. To share a memory with the family, Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com