Florence R. Majdiak

A force of nature who influenced many lives, Florence passed away on December 11, 2023 at the age of 91.

Florence was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Angelo and Mary Raguso. She met the love of her life, Theodore Majdiak, and they married on November 9, 1957. Florence and Theodore had three children, Karen, Lori and Rob, and lived in Shaker Heights until 1973 when they moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In Florida, Florence built a large group of friends. In 1983 her niece, Mary Grace Wiehn, moved to Florida and Florence loved that she had family in town when her children later moved away. She counted Mary’s husband, Michael Wall, as family; he and Mary welcomed Florence and Theodore into their home numerous times during Hurricanes. In fact, there was the infamous time Michael walked in to find Florence and Theodore frozen in front of the toaster oven with flames coming out! He was able to unplug it and put out the fire, but they never lived down almost burning down the house.

Florence liked to host big family gatherings and had her signature dishes which everyone will miss including spaghetti and meatballs, stuffed artichokes, melanzane and cheesecake. They were so good that anyone who had them could never eat them at a restaurant again. At Christmas, she and Mary spent days making Italian cookies for everyone and she always welcomed anyone who was without family on Thanksgiving.

Florence became very active at St Colemans Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister. It was even said by some that she ran the church! Florence loved crafting and sewing and made beautiful quilts and beaded flowers. She was very generous and was always happy to restring necklaces and mend clothes for friends until about 1 year ago when her eyesight made it too difficult to do the close work needed.

Florence loved traveling and had great memories of her many trips with friends and to visit her children. On one trip, her habit of telling it like it is inspired the enduring nickname ‘Mother Superior’. She visited her children and later grandchildren in Bradenton, Florida, New York City, New York, London, England, Washington DC and Bellingham, Washington and was very sad that in the past few years she found it too difficult to travel so couldn’t visit her family.

While her last year was a difficult one health wise, Florence did stay active until the end, so much so that it was difficult for her children to keep her schedule straight. If it was Tuesday, she was at her Bridge game, Wednesday and Saturday was Mahjong and then there was Bingo several times a week. The only day they knew for sure they would find her at home was Sunday – although even then she would frequently be found at the puzzle table in her assisted living home, Gardens West at John Knox Village. She was known in her Bridge, Mahjong and Bingo groups for her competitive streak and got very excited when she won the last round of Bingo and won two dollars!

Florence is survived by her children, Karen Willey and husband Matt; Lori Beal and husband Patrick; Rob Majdiak and wife Ali Frye; her grandchildren Leah Fraley and Kimber Fraley; great grandchild Isla Henson; sister Mary Wiehn and brother Joe Raguso and lots of nieces and nephews. She will be missed!

A Memorial Service will be held Friday January 12, 2024 from 4pm – 7pm at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. The Funeral Mass will be held Saturday January 13, 2024 at 10am at St Colemans Catholic Church, 1200 S Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, FL 33062. The Funeral will be immediately following at the North Lawn of the City of Pompano Beach Cemetery, 400 SE 23rd Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33062.