FLORENCE I. YATES (PICARD)

     Florence I. (Picard) Yates, 106, formerly of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, in the Southbridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, after an illness.

Her husband, Sol Yates, died in 1976. She leaves her brother, Newman Allen of Southbridge; a nephew James Allen and his wife Sandy of Charlton, along with many other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, George Picard and a sister, Lillian Cormier. She was born in Worcester on Aug. 30, 1908, the daughter of George D. and Laura O. (Bergeron) Picard.

Florence was a bookkeeper for Denholms Dept. Store in Worcester for many years, before retiring. She was an avid traveler and was an avid golfer and was a member of the Hillcrest Country Club in Leicester for many years. She enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to a bridge league. She also enjoyed bowling, ice skating, gardening and shopping. She loved new cars as her husband owned a Studebaker car dealership.

Florence was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane Award for being the oldest living citizen of the town of Southbridge.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Southbridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for all of the care and compassion they gave to Florence. They would also like to thank Florence’s roommate at Southbridge Rehab, Christine, for her friendship and looking after Florence these past few years.

A funeral Mass for Florence will be held on Friday, Aug. 21st, at 10:00am in St. Mary’s Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will follow in the Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Southbridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Activities Fund, 84 Chapin St., Southbridge, MA 01550.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.