On December 22, 2016, Florence G. Honore, the matriarch of the Honore Family, passed away peacefully in her San Jose home of 75 years surrounded by her family. She was 103 years old.
Honore was born in San Francisco on May 9, 1913. She was one of four children to Flora Sproul and Frederick Tilford, they have all preceded her in death. She attended St. Anthony’s Grammar School and started her early piano lessons. She has been an accomplished pianist her entire life. The family moved to San Jose when she was nine years old. She attended Lowell Grammar School, Roosevelt Jr. High School, and the original San Jose High School. She loved being a Camp Fire Girl and playing competitive baseball.
The depression hit about this time and she was unable to graduate from high school as she needed to work to help support her family. She later graduated from a business school while working part time. She worked in the local Canneries, O’Brien’s Bakery and Candy Store and The San Jose Creamery to name a few. She loved working and always had a very strong work ethic.
It was at the San Jose Creamery (now where the Fremont Hotel stands) that she met her future husband, George Honore. He was one of the few men with a car and would give her a ride home. He always maintained she would always bring a dozen eggs to put on the seat between them. However they were happily married for 64 years, before his death in 2000. They both loved the outdoors and spent their happiest times fishing in Alaska, Mexico, British Columbia, and most of all camping and fishing on the many Sierra Lakes. In 1964, they went on an African hunting Safari where she was referred to as the Liz Taylor of Africa. Always a striking woman even in the outdoors.
Throughout her long life she was always very active in a myriad of activities. St. Leo’s & Bellarmine Mother’s guild, St. John Vianney Church from its very beginning to being a regular member of its Sr. Club. She loved playing bingo and also loved the slot machines. She was a member of the Marillac Guild League (now Catholic Charities), Santa Clara University’s Catala Club, Stanford Mother’s Club and Alexian Brothers Hospital Guild (now Regional Hospital). She walked door-to-door collecting for the March of Dimes and the Heart Fund. The South Bay Yacht Club, Youth Science Institute Guild, the San Jose Country Club 9-hole group were also part of her life. She loved flower arranging and her expertise was used by many of these groups as Decoration Chairman. She was also a member of the Santa Clara Clara County Grand Jury for a few years. She rarely missed any of her son’s and grandchildren’s many activities.
Her motto was “Family Always First.” She is survived by her two sons George (Marjorie) San Jose and Fred (Judy) Himar, four grandchildren Jon Honore (Jennifer) San Jose, Lisa Honore Owen (Tyler), Omaha Neb, Erik Honore (Katie) Sacramento & Brett Honore (Camy) Turlock. She was preceded in death by grandson Lars Honore in 1979. She is survived by 12 adoring great grandchildren also nieces and nephews including Ron Wallace of San Jose. She had many long time friends, wonderful neighbors and dedicated caregivers. She will be deeply missed by all.