Florence E. Hamilton, 99, of Billerica, MA, died peacefully on February 13, 2021, at Brightview Concord River in Billerica, MA.

She was born on September 1, 1921, to parents Herbert Elliott and Ara Reed in Newport, Vermont.

Florence grew up in both Newport and Barton, Vermont, and graduated from Barton Academy, in 1940.  Florence attended Brightlook Hospital School of Nursing in St. Johnsbury, VT, and received her RN Certification. She later moved to Jersey City, NJ, during WWII, when nurses were in desperate need. In late 1944, she returned to Newport and began working at the Orleans County Memorial Hospital, where she met Dr. Samuel WF Hamilton Jr., an officer in the Navy.

After just six weeks of dating, they decided to get married in Boston on September 15, 1945. Florence worked at the Deaconess Hospital in Boston, while Sam finished his commitment with the Navy. The newlyweds then returned to Newport in 1946 to work in Sam's father's dental practice. Florence and Sam worked with other doctors in the area and built the Newport Clinic overlooking Lake Memphremagog. In their later years, Florence and Sam moved their practice to the Medical Arts Building adjacent to the new North Country Hospital and both continued to work part-time.

Florence's life was filled with community service and civic duties, including volunteering and teaching Sunday School at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, assisting with Head Start Programs, organizing church dinners and fundraisers, supporting Fortnightly and the Newport Women's Club, volunteering at North Country Hospital, and working on the Board of Directors at the Elizabeth Lund Home in So. Burlington, VT.

Florence retired in 2011 and moved to Brightview Concord River, an Independent & Assisted Living Facility in Billerica, MA, to be closer to her family, where she lived for over 10 years.

She was a gracious hostess for family and friends and had many lifetime friendships and continued to stay in touch with them over the years. Florence and Sam traveled to visit friends every year, and after Sam's passing in 1987, Florence took full advantage of Vermont Transit and would travel down by bus to Boston for the holidays for any family event.  She never missed any birthday, wedding or baptism.

Florence was blessed with a large family that loved her dearly, including her 5 children: Fran and her husband John of Pittsboro, NC, Amrit of Kailua, HI, Richard and his wife Wendy of Bedford, MA, and James and John that predeceased her.   She is survived by 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

In celebration of "FloJo's" life, her family will get together during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and return her to the Green Mountains of the Northeast Kingdom and beautiful waters of Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont.

Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elizabeth Lund Home at 50 Joy Drive in So. Burlington, VT. 05403.  Florence was on the Board of Directors for many years as her son, Richard was adopted there in 1960 at 10 days old. Please make donations in memory of Florence E. Hamilton. https://lundvt.org/about-lund/our-mission-history/