Florence Louise Lewis Sickle, 92, of Blueberry Hill, Island Creek at Port Republic, Maryland, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015, after a lengthy hospital stay.
She was born December 20, 1922, in Adena, Ohio, to Albert McClleland Lewis and Katherine Belle Howes Lewis. Florence was the oldest of four children: Brother John H. “Bud” Lewis (Gladys Lewis) preceded her in death, sisters Betty J. Siburt (preceded in death by Dale Siburt), Carole Finney (Richard Finney), and was a dear Aunt to all of their children.
Florence was married to her husband of 52 years, William L. Sickle, a World War II veteran, who preceded her in death. She was a beloved daughter-in-law to Nettie B. Sickle and Charley Arthur Sickle (both deceased) and sister-In-law to his 8 sisters and brothers: Gertrude “Trudy” Schafer (Al, deceased), Agnes Cottrell (deceased) (Ed, deceased), Charles (deceased) (Rita), John (deceased) (Charlotte), Robert (deceased) (Wilma), Ellis (deceased) (Betty S. LaSalle), James (deceased) (Marianne), and Bernard Sickle (deceased).
Following in her mother’s footsteps, she was the beloved matriarch of her family. She is survived by 4 children, Sharon Louise Sickle Goodrich (Stephen G. Goodrich),Barbara Kay Cotner (pre-deceased by Walter N. Cotner), William Lewis Sickle II (Florence Birgitta Nystrom Sickle), and Rebecca K. Weems (Richard D. Weems); 13 grandchildren: Douglas H. Bell, Elizabeth M. Goodrich Pierce (David), Stephen Goodrich II (Amber Dominguez), Tammy K. Cotner, Tracy R. Voegtli (Thomas), Thomas N. Cotner (Jennifer), Tera L. Swann, Matthew S. Sickle (Michelle), Holly S. VonWinkel (Greg), R. Katherine Tomlinson (James), Richard Weems II (Michelle), Joseph M. Weems, and Kinsey L. Weems; 29 great-grandchildren: Phillip D. Pierce, Nathanael D. Pierce, Hannah J. Pierce, Tania H. Pierce, Stephen Goodrich III (Shana), Andrew B. Goodrich, Elena R. Goodrich, Jackson T. Goodrich, Bobbi L. Voegtli, Thomas P. Voegtli II, Cody R. Voegtli, Victoria G. Voegtli, Nelson T. Cotner (Krissi McHenry), Emily C. Cotner, Destiny K. Cotner, Thomas A. Cotner, Brandon M. Bowen, Ashley T. Bowen, Angel F. Swann, Danielle M. Sears, James A. (“AJ”) Tomlinson, Conner M. Tomlinson, Rachel K. Weems, Elizabeth M. Weems, Alexis S. Parks, Richard Weems III, Autumn R. Bevard-Terwilliger, Lochlan A. Weems, Kaileigh E. Weems; 7 great-great grandchildren: Jaycee L. Stewart, Stephen Goodrich IV, Evangeline I. (Bella) Goodrich, Kylie Cotner, McKenna Cotner, Jase Cotner, and Raegan M. Sears.

Florence had successfully operated Blueberry Hill Garden Nursery for several years. Her love of family, her home, flowers, gardening, birds, and nature strongly influenced her children and many grandchildren who carry on her legacy.

In years past she was a long-time member of the Maryland Extension Service of Calvert County 4-Star Homemakers Club. She volunteered at Calvert Memorial Hospital and Saint Leonard Volunteer Fire and Rescue Auxiliary 7th Alarmers for many years. Florence was a member of Christ Episcopal Church for 53 years, and a faithful volunteer for the Church’s Annual Jousting Tournament Supper for almost as many years. She served on the Altar Guild for several years. She was remembered by the Sunday School for growing a blooming petunia for each child to give their mother on Mother’s Day for several years as well.

Florence was a beautiful lady, a wife, mother, and grandmother who touched many lives with her loving and caring ways. She was loved in return and endeared to many friends and acquaintances. She will be missed by all, especially her family.