Florence Parker

Groton — Florence Teresa (Yannaco) “Flo” Parker, 94 years young, passed away Nov. 18, 2023, following a brief cancer battle. Florence was born Feb. 1, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Italian immigrants Peter and Rachel Yannaco.

In 1950, after agreeing to a blind date with a Navy man from Texas, Florence met her future husband, Roy D. Parker. Flo and Roy were married Feb. 20, 1951, and would be together until Roy’s passing April 14, 2012. During their 61-year marriage, Flo and Roy had three children, Roy Jr., Diana and Wayne.

Flo leaves behind four grandchildren: Jeffrey, Timothy, Jennifer and Elizabeth; and great-grandchildren: Kayleigh, Ava, Isaiah, Ryan, Ryleigh, Silas, Landon, Jordan and Levi. Flo is also survived by her niece, Annabelle Minichiello and family. On March 24, 2018, Flo lost her eldest child, Roy Jr. Flo and Roy Jr. genuinely enjoyed each other’s company whether to shop, watch a movie or sit for hours at Eastern Point Beach.

Flo lived in Groton for most of her life and near the end, Flo was insistent upon going to the Groton Regency because as she said, “Roy is coming to get me.” In the late afternoon of Nov. 17, 2023, Flo was moved to the Groton Regency, but not before having some make-up applied and her hair done, because as she said, I want to look nice when Roy comes and gets me.” Flo was only three doors away from where her husband Roy passed away 11 years earlier. In the early morning hours of Nov. 18, 2023, Roy came and got his bride.

Spiritually, Florence is re-united with her parents, husband, siblings, son and great-grandson Jackson. Physically, Florence will be laid to rest next to her husband, Roy, at the Middletown Veterans Cemetery at a later date to be determined by her family.