Florence Marguerite Edmunds Blevins

Resident of La Grande, Oregon from 1971 to 2003 Born June 23, 1917, Los Angeles, CA – Died February 4, 2013, Richland, WA

When I am Gone by Florence Blevins I will never be "gone." You can always find me somewhere up high looking at vistas. If it isn't up high, you may find me in a beautiful garden setting, perhaps a gazebo, surrounded by colorful flowers and plants. Anywhere you look at beauty, you can also see me if you try. I can be found sitting atop a cloud looking at the universe. You will always feel my love because it encompasses time and space, and is eternal.

Florence passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 95 years young. Although she lived in Tri-Cities, WA, recently she was a long-time resident of La Grande. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lincoln, in 1983, as well as by all her siblings. She is survived by her son Bill and his wife Judy of La Grande; grandson Ron; son Jim and his wife Barb and their son Alex of Kennewick, WA; and daughter Chris of Richland, WA.

In 1996, Florence wrote her own obituary. It's included here. Florence died when her mission was fulfilled. Having full realization what some people will think when they read this, "Well, she died anyway." Did I? Who was she really? She liked the attention of boys, but was never promiscuous. The only man she was ever with was her husband, Lincoln. She loved being outdoors—at the beach, walking, bicycling, swimming. She loved ice skating. Wore hockey skates. Two hockey players from Loyola University told her she skated like a hockey player. She liked to skate fast. After she married, she was sick off and on for years. This circumstance impelled her to turn to a power she knew could heal the belief of sickness. She learned and learned, year after year, and never doubted her healthy state was the only reality. She never gave up. This circumstance was the driving force in her resultant spiritual journey which continued throughout the rest of her life on earth. Her vision was the wish to share the understanding she had gained. This happened only a few times until the early 1990's when she spoke out on appropriate occasions about her beliefs. However, she still could not share the greatness and fullness she had learned, a way that dissected the illusions of a material belief system and sent them packing. She knew each one of us had to grow in the way he or she was led. She never found satisfaction, but was always seeking, searching. The vision of gaining spiritual understanding guided her life. She was shattered when her husband, Lincoln, died. The loss of love continue to be sad for her, was very hard to cope with. Nevertheless, she felt gratitude for many blessings, and for her children, Bill, Jim, and Christine and their spouses. She liked to teach, and volunteered her time. She tutored adults in reading, basic math, and algebra. Her students' lives were changed. Watching the changes, seeing the students spread their wings and fly, was a wonderful feeling for her. She sent all of them into the world wrapped in her love and caring, whether they knew it or not. She liked to help people and gave generously of her time. She missed her husband's sense of humor. Missed the laughing and giggling, but adjusted to her life without it. The most fun she had in her marriage was the three years when she square danced. She continuously felt gratitude for the love in her marriage. She missed that most of all. She loved beauty so much it stirred her to the depth of her soul, often feeling almost too much to contain.

Florence's favorite quotes An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value its comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it.
~Robert Brault Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious Jewel in its head. ~Shakespeare

Einan's Funeral home of Richland, WA, is handling arrangements. However, at Florence's request, there will be no service. Einan's can be contacted at 509 943-1114 for information or to reach the family.