It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on January 6, 2012 of Florence Spungen, founder – with her husband and family – of the Florence and Laurence Spungen Family Foundation.

It was Florence Spungen's idea to start a foundation that would focus on the areas of health and Judaism. Diagnosed with both ovarian cancer and lymphoma in 2005, she envisioned trying to make a difference in the prevention and treatment of cancer and other health related issues. Florence was raised in a deeply rooted religious Jewish family from Staten Island, New York, where her passion for Jewish causes was nurtured and always close to the surface.

Florence, who described herself as being "obedient" as a child, always knew the importance of education. She received her bachelor's degree in Sociology (June 1949) and master's degree in Education (June 1951) from Hunter College in New York. This accomplishment required taking a bus, ferry, and 3 trains to attend

school each day. While taking courses toward her Ph.D in Administration and Supervision at Rutgers University, she met Larry Spungen and moved to Chicago to raise her family.

Florence's fiscal expertise was demonstrated in her ongoing zealousness for investments, including organizing and developing numerous investment clubs. She continued to be actively involved in her personal financial endeavors as well as the financial management of the Foundation up until her death.

It was often said that after a very short encounter, Florence would know more about one's background than their own longtime friends! According to Florence, it was dangerous to sit next to her at a dinner or luncheon. By the time you stood up, you were involved in either a stock or book club, maybe joined an "Adventures" club or became involved in a boggle or bridge group.

The number of people who were there to support Florence throughout her illness and her entire life was enormous and humbling to her family. A day never went by in 2011 without someone calling her home or any family member to stress how much they loved Florence and mention the impact she had on them!

May her memory be a blessing. She will be missed.

To read a bit more, "on the lighter side of Flo," please download this PDF.

The Spungen family is grateful for the many words of condolence from our friends and community. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those interested please consider making a contribution to the Foundation. Thank you.