In Memory of Florence F. Shumway

Obituary

Florence F. Shumway, age 93, passed away on March 8, 2026 at Bethany Gardens Skilled Living Center in Rome, NY, where she resided since September 2024. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by the light and love of her family—those who remain behind, as well as those who she so longed to see again.

She was born on September 28, 1932, in Albany, NY, the daughter of Mary Kolber Friebel and Charles Friebel. Florence attended Albany public schools, graduating from Albany High in 1950. As a young adult, Florence spent some of her happiest times working on her grandparents’ and uncle’s farm, planting and harvesting vegetables. A love of gardening continued to bring her joy throughout her life. After graduation, Florence trained to become a Comptometer operator, and worked in the business office of the A&P grocery chain, which she often said was her favorite job.

Florence married David S. Shumway on October 29, 1955. They were married for 66 years before David’s passing in 2022. After a number of moves, the family settled in New Hartford, NY in 1967, where Florence focused on homemaking and raising daughters Mary and Sandra. She was a faithful member of Westminster-Moriah-Olivet Presbyterian Church where, for many years, she established and ran the church’s Thrift Shop—a valuable outreach that benefited both the community and the church.

Florence taught herself the art of candle making and created beautifully colored and scented tapers using antique tin molds. For a time, she sold her creations to gift shops throughout upstate New York. At one time, Florence was employed at Doyle-Knower, a women’s clothing store in New Hartford Shopping Center, where she worked in the store’s stockroom and made some long-lasting friendships.

After David retired, the couple enjoyed periodic trips to St. Simon’s Island, GA. While in Georgia, they sometimes attended Maranatha Baptist Church where former President Jimmy Carter taught the adult Sunday School class. Meeting the Carters remained a particularly fond memory for both David and Florence.

Florence is survived by daughters, Mary (Fred) Collis, Sandra (Steve) Goddard; grandchildren Anthony (Sarah) DeSarro, Cassandra DeSarro, and Hannah (Cody Mariotti) DeSarro; great-grandchildren Liliana and Juliana DeSarro, and Maci, Mylee, and Makenna Mariotti. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Knapp, nephews Keith (Barb) Heintz, Robert (Susan) Heintz, Mark (Vanessa) Friebel, Todd (Sam Norman) Friebel, Jeffrey (Heather) Knapp, and niece Karen (Ken) Kaliski. She was predeceased by sister Freda Heintz, and brother, Carleton Friebel.

Florence’s family would like to thank the staff, caregivers, and fellow residents at Bethany Gardens for the attentive care, love, and friendship Florence received during her time there.

Calling hours are on Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM.  Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org) or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/). Florence proudly supported the research efforts of both organizations in memory of her husband, David, and in honor of her daughter, Mary, respectively.

“Maybe death isn’t darkness after all, but so much light wrapping itself around us—as soft as feathers.” —Mary Oliver

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com