Florence B. Brenton Werum Sare
Born on September 15, 1915, in Porterville California, the youngest of five children of Ruell O. and Catherine "Kate" Brenton, she passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2008, in Fresno, California.
Flo grew up in Oakland, California, where she graduated from Oakland High School in 1933.
She was married to Lloyd O. Werum and then to Thomas E. "Ed" Sare. She had three children, Kathrine and Donald Werum, and Thomas Sare. She had a stepson, Bud Sare.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Hugh Brenton; her sisters, Helen Keagy and Mildred Herneisen; husbands, Lloyd Werum, and Ed Sare; and stepson, Bud Sare.
Flo was twice put in the position of being a single mother in a time when the job opportunities for women were very limited. Despite doing poorly in bookkeeping and typing in school she found her niche as a "Girl Friday" in "one Girl" offices, being secretary, bookkeeper, receptionist, purchasing agent, and whatever else was required. She retired three times, the last time at age 82 due to failing eyesight.
Flo loved music, it was said she sang before she talked. For many years she sang in and directed choirs. When she stopped singing she took up ceramics, then needle point. She took a first prize at the Fresno Fair for her counted cross stitch.
She was for nearly 50 years a member of the ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was there that she made some of her strongest and most lasting friendships.
Flo will be remembered for her loyalty, her generosity, her devotion to her family, and her sense of humor. She was embarrassed by her laugh, but oh! how her laughter is missed.
In addition to her sister, Catherine Law of Palm Desert, she is survived by her children, Kathe McDonald and her partner, Jeannie Schmidt of Maine, Don Werum and his wife Eilene of Fresno, and Thom Sare and his wife Tricia of Virginia. She leaves three treasured grandchildren, Matt Werum and his wife Becca of Kentucky, Missy Sare Nilson and her husband Doug of Georgia, and Edwin Sare of Virginia; and her beloved great-granddaughter, Elisabeth Katheryn Carter Werum of Kentucky. Also surviving are Joanne Sare; her daughters, Nancy Sare, Debbie Myers, and Lori Sare, and their families.
The family would like to thank Barbi Hart and all the caring and generous staff at Oakdale Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care as well as the other residents there who provided friendship these last few years.
Flo requested there be no funeral or memorials, suggesting that those left behind do something enjoyable and imagine that she was enjoying it with them. "My friends are near while am living, and I do not need a service for them to gather. My friends are true and dear - and I love them dearly." CHAPEL OF THE LIGHT Funeral Home 1620 West Belmont Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559) 233-6254 "Everything in one beautiful place"