Florence Irene Rutledge

Born of Polish immigrants in Cleveland on July 7, 1910, she lived through WWI, the 1918 influenza epidemic, the Great Depression and WWII. She married, raised four children, worked as a secretary and transcriber, and did charitable works. She had to give up her dream to become a nurse due to serious hearing loss. She designed jewelry, made pottery, drawings, painting, and needlework. Her deep religious beliefs sustained her through many crisis. A few years after the death of her husband, she was critically injured in an automobile accident that led to the loss of a leg and her independence. She always loved to read, and was a prolific writer. She stressed the value of education and spent many hours tutoring her children. Her memory may have faded as she approached her nineties, but she was always a formidable card player often besting her children at gin rummy and double solitaire. She is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She was a strong woman who inspired us all. We miss her, but her spirit lives on. There will be private services at a later date. Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.