Florine Creek
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Florine Creek 1920-2022
Florine Creek, longtime resident of Lake Quivira, Kansas, and of Lawrence, passed away on Nov. 2, 2022 at the age of 102. Florine was born Mary Florine Meenan in Bisbee, Arizona, on April 16,1920. Her parents Patrick J. Meenan and Lenora Callahan, were both American born children of 19th century Irish immigrants. In 1942 Florine graduated from Arizona State University at Tempe (BFA-Music) and met and married Roy E. Creek of Portales, New Mexico. Colonel Creek, who became a decorated veteran of World War II and a career U.S. Army officer, was Florine’s partner in life for 74 years. When he retired from his military career in 1967, he and Florine moved to the Kansas City area where he worked as a hospital administrator for the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City. Roy preceded Florine in death in 2016.
Florine lived the very active life of a regularly uprooted army wife and mother, but she went above and beyond in welcoming and helping others, sometimes on her own and sometimes in an organized volunteer capacity. During the Vietnam War, she headed up a local division of the Army Emergency Relief organization to help young military wives and widows understand their rights and provide compassionate care. Her work and the similar work of other Army wives evolved into the Army Community Service (ACS) group that still provides these services today.
Florine volunteered for many organizations throughout her life. She also taught elementary school one year, served as a substitute teacher and worked as a social worker in the Kansas City area for several years, providing assistance to the elderly in connecting them with services they needed and working on their eligibility for nursing home care. But she always made time for fun and her big passions – bridge, which she played at least twice a week throughout her life, golf and reading her mystery novels.
She was known for her hospitality and loved entertaining people and welcoming them with home-cooked meals. Her Catholic faith was a central part of her life, and she shared her talents as an accomplished pianist and organist with the church throughout her life. She also shared this talent with her family and friends, and memories of standing around the piano or organ singing are cherished.
What truly characterized Florine the most was her big smile, the ever-present twinkle in her eyes and the song, hum or whistle always on her lips.
She and Roy moved to Lawrence in 2003, and she was living with her daughter, Cindy Maude, at the time of her death. In addition to her daughter, Cindy, Florine is survived by three sons and their wives, Dennis (Linda Kroll) of Berkeley, California; Patrick (Carol) of East Lake, Ohio; and Condy (Connie) of Lake Quivira, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. Florine was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by her family and by all who knew her, who take comfort in their loss from their knowledge of her full and happy life.
A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd. on Monday Nov. 14th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center or LMH Health in support of Skilled Nursing Rehab. Please send c/o Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
We were saddened to hear the news of Florine’s passing. Florine was a beautiful woman who lit up a room with her smile and twinkling eyes. We were blessed to know her, Roy, and their family, and enjoyed every minute we shared with them. She will be greatly missed but it is comforting to know she is reunited with Roy and many loved ones.
With deepest condolences,
Doug and Kathy Gaumer
Dear Cindy, what an honor and pleasure it was for both Dick and me to know your mother. She was part of my water exercise classes for several years before we ever reconnected at Brandon Woods. And of course, Dick knew her from bridge. We enjoyed our lunches with you as well — I have thought of you often. I’ll never forget her smile. You have been a wonderful, caring daughter in more ways than I can count — my sympathy.
Cindy and Family,
I meet your mom and dad at Corpus Christi such a great couple. Roy and she were wonderful people. I always enjoyed seeing them. May she rest in peace.
CrIsty
Thinking of you at this time of sadness with the loss of your Mom.
Trev
Both Flo and Roy were my folk’s best friends. Our family loved their’s dearly. I am so sorry that I lost track of Florine through the years. I have the most fond memories of the Creek family and thought of Flo as a beloved aunt. I’m deepest sorrow that she (they) are gone.
We didn’t know Roy and Florine very well, just from talking after Mass at St Lawrence. Florine was always cheerful, with encouraging comments toward our kids when they were little. She even gave us a lovely outfit “for the baby”. I remember at Roy’s funeral how Monsignor repeated what Florine said to Roy every week toward the end of his visit: “C’mon Roy, It’s time to go.” And Florine would push story’s wheelchair. I can just imagine Roy coming for his beautiful wife, taking her hand saying,”C’mon, Florine, time to go!” And Florine just smiling. Rest In Peace, Florine. Prayers for consolation for all the family.
I never ran into Florine without her beautiful and welcoming smile that she always wore. Her life & love for her family and
Lord inspired us all. What a blessing it was when Roy, Cindy and her moved to Lawrence.
I met Florine at Corpus Christi. We would sometimes share a pew or be near enough to greet each other. She was always had a wonderful smile and kind word.