Florence Barbara Furtado

On Tuesday evening, January 24 2023, Florence B. (Baptiste) Furtado, aged 85, completed the cycle of her life passing away peacefully at Morton Hospital, the same hospital at which she was born, December 11th, 1937. Her parents, both deceased, were John P. Baptiste (also born in Taunton) and Florence (Munise) Baptiste (born in Cambridge, MA).  As her own mother died giving birth to her, Flo’s earliest years were guided by her father, his mother, Frances (Serpa) Baptista, who had arrived from Portugal to care for her, and a beloved extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins in their Weir neighborhood and Onset, MA.  Her youth was spent on Talbot Avenue in the home of her father and her (late) step-mother, Ida (Cardoza) Baptiste.  She attended Taunton schools and graduated from Taunton High in 1955.

In 1956, she married Joseph G. Furtado (deceased, 7/2022).  Their first baby, a boy, died at birth July 4th 1957.  She is survived by their son, Joseph, Jr., and daughter, Cathy M. Furtado, and Cathy’s children, Courtenay and Zachary. She is additionally survived by half-brothers, John “Jack” Baptiste, and Donald Baptiste, and his wife, Carol, and a half-sister Joan (Baptiste) Burke.  Two additional half-brothers, Edward Baptiste and Paul Baptiste, are sadly deceased.

Flo’s work life was varied and included positions at Mt. Hope Machinery, Rand McNally, Grossman’s Lumber, Morton Hospital, Swank’s, Taunton Telephone Answering Service, and perhaps what gave her the most pride were her years as secretary and bookkeeper for David Hutchinson at The Hutchinson Company Real Estate from which she eventually retired.

Throughout her life (including the month of her death), Flo remained an avid reader with weekly trips to the Taunton Public Library – a trait she instilled in her children from an early age (and in any of their neighborhood friends that she could pile into the family station wagon for the trips!) She excelled in knitting, crocheting and sewing for family and friends. With Joe, her husband, she enjoyed travel, camping, and even cross-country skiing.  Together with their cherished friends, Mary and Sonny Sullo,  Fred and Nancy McCarthy, and Bill and Flo Collins, they became dedicated square dancers and do-si-doed for years together.   In recent years, Flo loved spending spare time - and spare change - at local casinos with her pals Claudia, Shirley, and Beverly. Though she never won much at the casinos, she remained rich with friends that always filled her heart with love and kept a smile on her face – Irene & Joe, Jean, Carol, Flo, Audrey, Ellie, and Judy, as did younger family members always in her thoughts – Rick and Lynn, Linda and Michael, Lisa and Linda, and Christine, Karen and John-Michael.

Flo will be remembered for her warmth and kindness; her home was always open to friends and family without any need for calling first – an old-fashioned heart that will be sorely missed.  She requested that no formal services be held to mark her passing.

Arrangements are with the Silva Funeral Home of Taunton.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com