Florence Gomez

Florence M. Gomez, aged 92, died peacefully on April 17, 2018.  Florence was born October 2, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the daughter of William and Stella Westawski. She grew up in Plains, PA and moved to Washington, DC in the early 1940’s to work at the Pentagon. She was a long-time resident of Hyattsville, MD and member of St. Mary’s Parish in Landover Hills, MD.

Florence loved dancing, especially Polynesian dancing, and was a long-time member of the Hui Aloha Club and hosted many a luau at her home. She taught and choreographed hulas as well. She could also Rumba, Foxtrot and dance the Polka. In the early 1970’s, she took lessons in the Hustle with her husband, Frank.

Florence also loved to travel and went to see the countries of her origin – Poland and Lithuania – in the early 1980’s when travel there was limited and restricted. She was fearless. She and her husband visited Hawaii many times and traveled to Mexico, Turkey, and Italy. Her last big trip was to Russia in 2004 where she and her daughter took a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

In 2000, Florence lost the love of her life, Frank V. Gomez. She is also predeceased by her sister, Martha, and brothers, Frank, Jackie, Walter, Anthony and Marty and grandson, Damian.

Florence is survived by her sisters, Eleanor and Patsy; brother, Larry; daughter, Maxine A. Leinani; sons, David Robin, Frank Ramon and Matthew Lorin; daughter-in-law, Cheryl B. Gomez; grandson, Daniel Gomez and great granddaughters, Lara and Tessa. She is also survived by a great many loving nieces and nephews, including niece, Anita (Gauvin) Mills, who assisted the family so generously the past two years of Florence’s life. There are also many close friends Florence leaves behind whom she met through her long and event filled life.

The visitation will be held at Gasch’s Funeral Home, 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD on April 29, 2018 from 2 until 8. The funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 7301 Annapolis Road, Landover Hills, MD on April 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.