Florence Lindsley died peacefully at home Wednesday morning, February 25th, 2026. Her sons were with her. She was 86.

Mom was born February 13, 1940, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Her family moved several times between Michigan, Missoula, and the Bitterroot, finally settling in Stevensville where she graduated from high school. After Mom and Dad got married, we lived on 14th street in Missoula, until they split up. Then we became Northsiders. 

"I remember when I was five years old. There was a blizzard. Mom wrapped a towel around my face and walked me the three or four blocks to Whittier School to get me to Head Start. Mom, Joe, and Al pulled me in a wagon to the Northside Park to play in the pool, and to Shaffer's Market to spend my allowance. She was about thirty-five when she learned to drive. Before that she walked us where we needed to go. Across the tracks to the movie theater, doctor, and dental appointments. She supported us on welfare and food stamps before she started teaching Head Start. Supper was on the table, homemade chocolate milkshakes on the weekends. She baked every kind of Christmas treat, the best pie crust, and made sure presents were under the tree."        -- Bob

Mom always worked. Hermes Drive In, Florence Laundry, Woolworths, Gibsons to make her Head Start ends meet. Around 1978 we moved across the tracks to the home she owned until her passing. She married her high school boyfriend, Darrell Lindsley, here at home in 1980. She loved Darrell very much, and so did we. 

Mom loved working with kids and was honored by the Council for Early Childhood Recognition, a national organization based in Washington, D.C. One of five early childhood teachers in the nation honored for holding the long-standing CDA credentials. She received an expense-paid trip to participate in an awards luncheon in her honor, tour the council's office and attend the National Head Start Association Conference. 

She loved working in the yard. All she wanted was her home, her yard, and for us kids to be taken care of. We were lucky to care for her a little bit, and she died in her living room. 

She is survived by her three sons; Joe, Al (Kathy), and Bob; four granddaughters, fifteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. 

We love you, Mom, and we'll see you in the Spring.