Florence M. (Rzeminski) McCloskey

In the early hours of December 8, 2024, Florence Mary McCloskey passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 99 years old.

Florence was born in 1925 to Mary and Kazinierz Rzeminski in Shenandoah, a small coal mining town in Central Pennsylvania. She was one of 8 children who grew up during the Great Depression. Florence left Shenandoah during World War II seeking employment first in Philadelphia, then in Baltimore where she worked as a secretary at Bethlehem Steel Shipyards in Curtis Bay. After the war, she married her high school sweetheart Edward McCloskey in 1947, settling in Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighborhood where they raised 3 children.

Florence worked at Saint Rose of Lima School in Brooklyn for several years as a substitute teacher and aide, and later at Harbor Hospital in South Baltimore as a Financial Counselor in the billing department.  She was an accomplished artist, creating beautiful works in oils, pastels, and charcoal. Her other interests included reading, sewing, volunteering for the church and at soup kitchens, attending classes at the senior center, and delighting in the lives and accomplishments of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Florence was preceded in death by her loving husband Edward who passed away in 1970. She is survived by her children, Marlene Duff of Hampstead, MD, Barbara Bryl of Linthicum, MD, and James McCloskey of Millersville, MD; her sister Theresa Tunilla of Shenandoah, PA; and her 8 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3803 4th St, Baltimore, MD 21225 on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 to 10:00 am. A Catholic Mass for Florence will follow at 10:00 am. Florence will be laid to rest alongside her husband Edward at the Baltimore National Cemetery, 5501 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21228 on Monday, December 16 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Florence’s name to  Catholic Charities USA or to  HOPE For All (122 Roesler Road, Glen Burnie 21061).

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