Florence Norma Fay, 96, passed away peacefully at Excel Care Nursing Home in Newark, Delaware, on July 2, 2025, from complications due to pneumonia.
Florence was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 20, 1928, to the late Florence S. Napier (née Rydstedt) and the late Charles Napier. She was their only child. At age two, the family moved from Connecticut to the East Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Florence was a product of the Springfield city school system. She attended Washington Street Elementary, Forest Park Junior High, and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1946.
Florence’s first and only job was as a key punch machine operator for the Eastern States Farmers Exchange in West Springfield. It was there she met Edward G. Fay, a key punch machine technician. Florence and Grant were married on May 14, 1955. The happy couple later moved to Sunapee Street in Springfield, to a house formerly owned by Florence’s paternal grandfather. Florence remained employed with Eastern States until 1958, when their first child, Matthew, was born, and she became a homemaker. She remained in that home for 68 years.
Following the death of her caretaker son Gregory in May 2023, Florence moved to Wilmington, Delaware, to be closer to Matthew. She lived at Rockland Place Assisted Living in Wilmington and, most recently, at Excel Care Nursing Home in Newark. Florence was known there for her sharp mind, winning Bingo skills, and a mean right arm when playing cornhole—not to mention her dry sense of humor.
Florence was predeceased by her husband, E. “Grant” Fay (2009), and her son, Gregory Fay (2023). She is survived by her son Matthew, of Wilmington, Delaware, his wife Marian, and their son Jeremy, of Los Angeles. She is also survived by two stepsons, Rick Ericson (wife Marge) of Arkansas and Bob Ericson (wife Robin) of Tennessee; five granddaughters, Jennifer Navarra (daughter of Marge), Kimberly Hynes (daughter of Rick), Janis Ericson and Julie Norton (daughters of Bob), and Daryll Odierna (daughter of Greg); three other grandsons, Brian and Christopher (sons of Greg) and Shawn Ericson (son of Rick) along with two great-grand-daughters and four great grandsons.
Florence’s cremains will be interred at Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield, Massachusetts, at a later date.
For online condolences please visit: mccreryandharra.com
