Florence Salwoski Martin

Our mom had wings long before she ever became an Angel in Heaven. She was an Angel on Earth, and now she will be an Angel forever. Florence C. Salwoski Martin was given her wings on August 28th, 2013. Our mother, our grandmother, our great-grandmother, joined the love of her life 20 days after he left this earth for his next journey.

Florence was born, Florence Constance Salwoski on June 29, 1931 to Con and Isabelle Salwoski. She graduated from Coughlin High School in 1949. She married our dad, Edward Martin on February 14th, 1953. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year, and they will continue their love and friendship with God. Florence worked as a bookkeeper until she became a stay at home mom in 1956, which led her to her later career as a stay at home grandmother and an ear to talk to on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at the Ed Martin School of Self Defense.

Our mom loved nothing more than spending time with her family, going for a ride every night, shopping, and stopping at McDonald’s for their night cap of vanilla ice cream, coffee, and conversations with friends. She enjoyed the family gatherings at her home, and when it became too much for her, she appreciated when her children began hosting the gatherings for her. There was only one condition that she would be in charge of bringing the desserts. Our mom’s heart was bigger than anyone we knew. She spent her life giving to people, even when she didn’t have anymore to give. She was the heart, soul and foundation of this family. She raised three children, and then she proceeded to raise six grandchildren. She gave her home and love everyday so her daughters, Joyce and Carol could continue in their professional careers. It wasn’t unwarranted, because the love she gave to our children will always be remembered and stories will always be told. Our children had the opportunity to grow up with one of the best women they will ever get to know in a lifetime. She left an indelible mark on their hearts, just as she did with everyone she came to know. She was the heart and soul of the family, and she was the foundation that kept all of the pieces held steadfastly to the ground.

Florence was loved dearly by her family and friends. She was witty, loving, generous, gentle and thoughtful, and her loss leaves a void in all of us that can never be filled. Throughout our mom’s life she maintained a soft hearted and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her endless nurturing of love and faith. She helped to make the life of someone else go a little easier in spite of making hers go a little harder. This beautiful woman will be remembered and missed by everyone who knew her.

Like our dad, our mom was an avid Phillies fan as well, a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, and worked registration for the Luzerne County Elections Office. In addition, she was everyone’s mother.

She was preceded in death by her mother Isabelle Adamski Salwoski, her father, Con “Firpo” Salwoski, her husband Edward D. Martin, and her son Thomas Martin.

She leaves behind three children, Joyce Mock and her husband Robert Mock, Raymond Martin and his wife Denise Martin, Carol McGrane and her husband Paul McGrane; seven grandchildren, Natalie Benjamin and her husband, SR Benjamin, Robyn Weisser, and her husband Mike Weisser, Bryan Mock, Nicole Borden, and her husband Mike Borden, Kylee McGrane, Rosie McGrane, and Danielle McGrane, four great grandchildren, Nathan and Skyler Benjamin, and Zachary and Lucas Borden; brother-in-law Jim Martin and his wife Pat; sister-n-law, Ellen Martin; and her nephew, Jim Martin and his wife Donna, and their children Jimmy and Katie.

Celebration of Florence’s Life will be held Saturday at 8:30 AM from McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre with Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM in the Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Park Avenue. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Maternity Cemetery in West Wyoming.

Visitation will be held at McLaughlin’s on Friday from 6 to 8 PM.

Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to the Edward D. Martin Student Athlete Scholarship Award in care of the Wilkes-Barre Career Technical Center.

Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Florence’s family at www.celebrateherlife.com