Florence Rochelle Joseph

Florence Joseph, 85 of Alexandria passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2022 in Washington DC. Florence was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Bess (Rhodie) and Samuel Joseph on December 4, 1936. She went to school in Madison, WI, graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a BA degree and continued at Northwestern to achieve a MA degree with a major in English Literature. She then started her career as a high-school teacher. She soon left teaching to travel the world working for the CIA as a specialist in Non-Proliferation of Chemical and Biological Weapons of Mass Destruction. She developed and conducted training courses in that subject area in US and Allied countries of the World.

Florence had a long and abiding love for travel; she visited many countries throughout her life and held a special place in her heart for Vienna, Austria where she spent many happy times. Opera and classical music were passions and inspired visits to opera houses around the world. Florence delighted in meeting new people and making new friends.

Florence is preceded in death by her parents and brother. She is survived by her spouse, W. Gene Poggenburg.

A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00pm. The service will be available via live stream. Additional information may be found on Florence’s memorial page at www.demainefuneralhomes.com.

Memorials may be given to the Alexandria Barrett Branch Library if desired.