Florence (Mazzei) Farrier

Florence (Mazzei) Farrier-Tapfer, 89, of Livingston, MT passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2015, while living near her son in Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California. A Funeral Service will be held 11 A.M., Thursday, May 7th, at Franzen-Davis Chapel, 118 N. 3rd Street; Livingston, MT 59047 with Pastor Steven Paugh Leuzinger officiating. Fellowship will follow the service at Franzen-Davis. Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery on Old Clyde Park Road, Livingston, Montana. Florence was born on April 27, 1926 in Amato, Italy (Calabria region). She was the daughter of Rose Preste/Adkins and Santos Mazzei. She attended Livingstons Eastside Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and was a proud graduate of Livingstons Park County High School. Unfortunately Florence lost her father when she was just 2 years old, but her love, bond and admiration for her mother Rose Preste/Adkins (who was always there for her through thick and thin) was exceptionally strong. Florence always enjoyed working, starting her first job as a young teen as an usherette at The Strand Movie Theatre in Livingston and later (while in high school) she worked in the business office of the busy train depot in Livingston. After high school Florence went on to study and further develop her office skills in Spokane, WA. While working in the offices of Pacific Fruit Co. in Spokane, WA Florence met her husband to be (who also worked for the same company), Merle Farrier. In 1946 Florence was united in marriage to Merle Farrier in Spokane and their marriage was blessed with 3 children, Cynthia, Connie and Scott. Florence and Merle shared 46 years of marriage together until she lost Merle when he passed away in 1992. Florence stayed at home to raise their children. When their children were grown she chose to work again, this time alongside her husband helping with their small accounting business from home. Later she was pleased to work as the secretary for the merchants of Shadle Shopping Center in Spokane, WA. There she made many close and long lasting friendships with the many merchants. In the late 1980s Florence and Merle moved from Spokane to live on the island of Oahu in Hawaii to join their children who were also living in Hawaii. In Hawaii Florence enjoyed working again, this time for the Panasonic Company where she again made many good friends and served well until her retirement. Florence loved tap dancing and did so enthusiastically from her early childhood. She was involved in group tap classes well into her 80s. She enjoyed growing up in Livingston surrounded by great family and friends. In Spokane she again developed many lifelong friendships through her womans bridge card club. She also made lasting connections through her bowling league in Spokane. In her retirement years she was amazed that a small town girl like herself was able to travel to far corners of the world, visiting Europe, Asia and even venturing back to the tiny hilltop town where she was born in Southern Italy. Blessed be her memory. Florence was a good woman. She was a wonderful mother and wife. She was kind, light hearted and loving. Being that she always enjoyed the company of others, Florence was always a good friend to so many and repeatedly made good friends wherever she lived, worked or attended school. She was kind, soft hearted, caring, loving, fun and sincere. By example she taught her children the importance of family and being kind to others. She willingly sacrificed for her children and was good to each of them. Her smile, her laugh, her lighthearted nature and her enjoyment of friends, family and the simple things of life made Florence a very special person. She will be greatly missed. Florence is survived by: Daughters, Cynthia Farrier and husband, Jerry Whaley of Pearl City, Hawaii, Connie Farrier Tadeo of Pearl City , Hawaii., Son Scott Farrier of Ladera Ranch, California. 4 Grandchildren and 8 Great-grandchildren. Sister, Nancy Adkins of Livingston, Montana; Brother, Ernest Fred Adkins of Kalispell, Montana. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home.