Florence (Gomes) Savery

Florence Gomes Savery, 98, known to all as “Flo,” passed away peacefully on May 13th at Kimball Farms Nursing Home, where she had resided for the past 3 years. 

A first-generation Portuguese American, Florence was born in Pittsfield on August 28, 1926, to her parents, Antonio and Maria Gomes. After graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1944, she earned an associate’s degree from Westbrook College in Portland, Maine. In 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Savery, and raised four boys—Jay, Michael, Thomas, and Matthew—in Lee after moving there in 1951. “Flo and Joe” were married for just shy of 57 years when Joe passed away in 2005. For 12 years, she served as an administrative assistant in the Berkshire County Commissioners office. 

Florence was devoted to her family and her community. For decades, she could be found in the choir loft of St. Mary’s Church, singing as a soloist for countless masses, funerals, and weddings. Additionally, she volunteered to run the blood drive in Lee and performed at church fundraisers. In her retirement, she regularly ushered at Tanglewood. 

Florence was most in her element hosting holiday feasts, and no one could do a holiday feast like Flo! Additionally, she enjoyed golf, her bridge club, swimming at her beloved Berkshire South Regional Community Center, and being a loving grandmother. 

Florence is survived by her sons Michael and Matthew, her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Savery, and two sons, Joseph A. (Jay) and Thomas. 

A service will be held at St Mary’s Cemetery, 220 Spring Street in Lee, on Monday, May 19th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Florence asked that donations be made to the Berkshire South Regional Community Center. Checks may be mailed in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.