Florence Marie (Thies) Bobiak

passed away peacefully with her three children at her side on January 27, 2015. She was 90 years old.Florence was born in Clifton, New Jersey on May 16, 1924 to Emil and Irene Thies as one of three children. She was born into an affluent family that lost everything during the Great Depression; this, however, taught Florence about generosity and strength of character.After high school, Florence enlisted in the Navy WAVES, becoming one of the first women to serve as a yeoman on Admiral Marc Mitscher's staff. She sang on the steps of the White House with an elite Navy Choir, during FDR's inaugural ceremony in 1945. After the war, she married Fred Hopfer and had two children, Fred and Irene. Her husband passed away unexpectedly shortly before Irene's birth. While working for Johns Manville as a chemist's assistant, she met the love of her life, Harry Bobiak, who invited her and the children out for a ride. They were married on September 22, 1951 in Manville, New Jersey. Their first son Gregory died at birth; they had two other sons, Jim and David.Florence and Harry raised their family in the rural countryside of Bridgewater, New Jersey. Florence was a homemaker, served as a 4-H leader, woke at 4 AM to take Jim out to his trap lines, and drove her children many miles to swim practices and meets. In 1963, Florence returned to work as the principal's secretary at the local elementary school. In 1975, she moved to California to provide primary care for her son Fred, who had become a quadriplegic in a motorcycle accident. The rest of the family followed Florence and Harry to California shortly thereafter. While in California, she worked in Palmdale High School as an administrative secretary.When David and Jim moved to Spokane with their families, Florence and Harry followed. Here they enjoyed many years with their grandchildren. Harry died in 1995; Florence remained in Spokane for a few years then moved to Bainbridge Island to be with family. She was actively involved in the senior citizen group and was a wonderful grandmother to all her grandchildren. She loved the beautiful scenery, and most of all, loved when the sun came out and she could see the mountains. Shortly before she passed, she attended the wedding of one of her grandchildren, Stephanie Bobiak - a goal she had set for herself.Florence is survived by her children, Irene Marsh, Jim (and Marji) Bobiak, David (and Laurel) Bobiak, and (Diane Bobiak). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ian Watt, Carrie (and John) Deaton, Stephanie (and John) Osborne, Brianna Bobiak, and Micah Bobiak, along with a number of great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.She will be laid to rest with Harry Bobiak in Spokane in the spring at Moran Prairie Cemetery. Her family will forever hold her memory close with love and celebrate her peaceful and gentle passing. Please sign the online guest book for the family.