Florence Robertine Cyr Landry Rousseau was born in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, on December 17, 1925, and passed away September 17, 2020, in Fallbrook, California. She was one of five daughters and one son born to Catherine Nadeau and Robert P. Cyr. She inherited a level head and strong sense of duty from her father and from her mother, she learned tenderness, an immense capacity for love, and musical talents.

Florence went to Mount Carmel Academy in St. John, New Brunswick and was Valedictorian. Afterward, she attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Montreal and graduated in 1946.

In 1948, she married Robert Landry of Edmundston, New Brunswick and they had three children: Rosemarie, Anne and Robert. In 1956, Robert unexpectedly passed away in an automobile accident.

Florence moved to Toronto, Ontario, to be near her sister Simonne.  She met Jean Rousseau and they married in 1959, immigrated to the United States and became US citizens. Together they had four children: Lise, Jacques, Monique, and Michele.  They lived in Redondo Beach for 27 years.

She was involved in the Torrance Area Youth Band in capacities ranging from the board of directors and vice-president. She never missed a parade and most of the time she accompanied the band as a nurse and chaperone.

She learned to play golf and, in her typical fashion, became quite good, to the point Jean stopped keeping score claiming that this was only a game and not a competition.

All through the years, her nursing background proved useful, as she and Jean, raised seven children and continued to practice in an advisory capacity, a position she held to the end.

When the children were finally on their own, she took refresher courses and reinstated her nursing license in the State of California. She worked at Gardena Memorial Hospital and Little Company of Mary Hospital, in the South Bay. After her hospital experiences, she went to work at the Torrance plant of Dow Chemical Co. There, she was head of the medical facility working alongside doctors of the Pittsburg, CA plant. She instituted a number of programs: Wellness Program, Exercise Program, First Aid procedures, etc. She retired in 1986.

Florence and Jean moved to San Juan Capistrano, where she attended many oil painting workshops in San Juan Capistrano and then went on to further develop her talent at the Fallbrook School of the Arts. She became active in the Fallbrook Art Association and was a board member for over 10 years.  She became very prolific. Her art can be found all over the US and also throughout Eastern Canada. Her children will cherish each of the paintings given to them and they will stay in the family for generations.

Florence learned to play bridge, became an excellent player, and enjoyed her bridge matches with Fallbrook bridge clubs.

Florence and Jean traveled extensively through the US and abroad for about 17 years after retirement. They went to Canada, Mexico and France several times, as well as many countries in Europe and the Near East. They also went to China and what used to known as Indochina.

Florence was mother to seven children: Rosemarie (Steven), Anne (Rick), Robert, Lise, Jacques (Lela), Monique (Brad), and Michele (Steve), as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Catherine of Florida, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Not only did she perform as the family medical advisor and provider of yummy recipes, she became very proficient at organizing weddings, baptisms, graduation parties and enormous family reunions. She had the temperament and also the "smarts" to keep the family together in difficult times. She never gave up on anybody. It was her life accomplishment to see her children strongly bonded together. All through the years she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, sensitive to everyone's spiritual and emotional needs. She was a great listener offering empathy, encouragement, and support. She was always there in time of distress willing to lend a helping hand when needed.  She will be sorely missed by many whose lives were touched by her.

There will be a private Funeral Mass for family only.

Please have prayers said in her name at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 450 S Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Florence Rousseau to Fallbrook Hospice, 521 E. Elder St., Suite 208, Fallbrook, CA 92028