Florence R. (Graham) Greenwood, 95, of Haverhill, died Saturday, May 16, with her family at her side.
She was matriarch, Ma, Grammy, Flo to many – well beyond her large family. Greenwood was born Jan 15, 1920 in Haverhill. The third daughter of Walter and Ida Graham, she was one of seven children. She attended Haverhill schools as a child including St. James Elementary School.
Greenwood married the late Russell D. Greenwood, of Merrimac , a shoe laster, in 1936 and together remained in the Bradford/Haverhill area where they raised their family of six children. In 1964 the Greenwood family tragically surrendered “Sonny” to the Lord in an automobile accident.
She helped in the support of her family by working as a stitcher in Haverhill, including Eastern Canvas and Rani Shoe Manufacturing. Her most rewarding employment came later in life when she worked with mentally challenged adults in an outreach program to train clients for job placement.
Greenwood was predeceased by her husband Russell (1996), son Sonny (1964), siblings Robert Graham, Leon (Sonny) Graham, Esther Anzaldi all of Haverhill; Bella Graham of Los Angeles, Calif.; Edna Graves, Andersen, Calif.; and son-in-law DJ LaVallee, of Jacksonville Fla. She is survived by brothers Norman Graham of Seabrook, N.H., and Richard Graham of Haverhill, raised as her son; children Russell David Greenwood and his wife Anne, Bradford, Richard Graham, Norman Greenwood and his wife Bernadette of Haverhill, Debra LaVallee of Jacksonville, Fla., Cindy Parker and her husband James of Haverhill; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
The Greenwood family extends thanks to the community of care givers from Bethany Homes, The Wingate of Haverhill, Brookside Hospice and the many other volunteers.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service for Mrs. Greenwood on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30, at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill.