Florence Cahalen's Obituary
Florence Elizabeth (Gaskill) Cahalen, adored mother and “MawMaw”, native Oklahoman and longtime Tulsa teacher, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 6, 2018. She was 94. She will be remembered for her faithfulness, love of her family and friends and for keeping everyone fed with her signature fried chicken and carrot cakes. Florence was born June 3, 1924 to Lawrence Gaskill and Carrie Perry Gaskill in Rocky Hill Community in Okmulgee County. A farmer’s daughter, Florence, grew up appreciating the rural way of life of which she would often reminisce. After high school she enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, WAVES voluntary emergency service during World War II, but the war ended before she saw active duty. Thereafter, she worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Arizona, where she met then married Glenn “Larry” Cahalen in Williams, Arizona on November 9, 1945. They were together 66 years until his death in 2011. Education played a large role in Florence’s life. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma State University followed by Southwest Missouri State where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree. She loved American Literature especially the works of Robert Frost, William Faulkner and Mark Twain. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in English from Northeastern State University during a time when higher education was not a common pursuit for most women. Prompted by her father’s time in Europe in WWI, Florence learned the German language and traveled extensively throughout the area, studying at the University of Salzburg. Ever determined, she did all this working full time jobs and raising her four children. A teacher for 24 years, she began teaching English in 1962 at Monroe Junior High followed by East Central Junior High before finishing at Central High School where she taught Honors English and German and led the local Foreign Exchange Group. She retired in 1986. Former students remember her high expectations, stern approach and ability to encourage those with a penchant for the language to excel. Even into her nineties, she still prided herself on good grammar and was always quick to correct those with less laxed use of the language. A student of the Bible, Florence’s faith was the center of her life. She attended First Baptist Tulsa for more than 40 years where she gave her time to the church’s Clothing Ministry, providing attire to those in need, as well as teaching Sunday school. She was a member of the Agape class. Florence was preceded in death by her two brothers and three sisters, Joe Dugger, Marvin Barefoot, Carrie Dickerson, Clara Sehorn and twin, Francis Gaskill. Florence loved her family and its history and kept detailed genealogical records. She enjoyed sharing anecdotesand pictures about her extensive family to all that knew her. One of her deep passions was the Nuyaka Mission Museum, previously a mission school for the Creek Indians, of which she helped found and care for through the Nuyaka Historical Society. For years she dedicated her time to preserve the memorabilia and legacy of her alma mater, Nuyaka High School through the museum. She served as Secretary of the Nuyaka Homecoming Association from the 1950s until 2013 where she wrote the Nuyaka Newsletter for more than six decades. Some of her fondest memories are of the people and land of Nuyaka. She enjoyed reading, writing, taking pictures, the color red and crossword puzzles and she cherished her role as a mother and MawMaw and spend- ing time with all her kids.She leaves behind a family who hold many loving memories of her and they include:two daughters, Martha Jane Cahalen of Broken Arrow, OK and Cheryl Ann with husband, Danny Donaldson of Claremore, OK; two sons, Glenn Michael and wife,Loretta of Tulsa, OK and Daniel Mark and wife, Shelly of Flower Mound, TX; four grandchildren, Jacob Cahalen, Jessica Cahalen Tarangioli, Michelle Cahalen and Clint Cahalen; six great-grandchildren, Presley, Cash, Chloe and Crew Cahalen and Gemma and Edward Tarangioli. She is also survived by her sister, Paula Bentley of Cabol, MO. Other survivors include a much-beloved great niece, Sandra and husband, David Patterson of Claremore, OK, Wesley and wife Laura Patterson, and Jake Patterson; as well as her special lifelong friend, Delores Courson of Tulsa, OK. She was beloved by all who knew her. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Floral Haven from 4pm – 7pm.The Memorial Service celebrating Florence’s life will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 12:30pm. Interment will follow at Floral Haven Cemetery, Floral Haven 918-252-2518. Online condolences to the family can be left at www.floralhaven.com. Donations can be made to John 3:16 Mission, 575 North 39th West Ave., Tulsa, OK 74127 (john316mission.org) or Oklahoma Council of the Blind, P.O. Box 1476, Oklahoma City, OK 74103
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