Obituary of Florine Ann (Bernhard) Gulick

Florine Ann (Bernhard) Gulick, born March 19, 1927, lived her 93 years with joyful optimism and died peacefully on December 9, 2020, surrounded by loved ones.

The youngest sister of a large, fun-loving family in Columbus, Ohio, Florine graduated from Holy Rosary High School and studied nursing at St. Mary of the Springs College. In her early 20s she led an elite team of Nationwide Insurance key-punch operators (and cocktail-party aficionados) to New Haven, CT, establishing a new office and several lifelong friendships. A troubadour with a baritone ukulele, Florine's velvet alto voice serenaded family and friends at celebrations, and her siren song captivated her beau, Bob. They married in June of 1956 and sang duets for six decades.

As the matriarch of her own family, Florine practiced positivity and delighted her seven children with her enthusiasm and knack for making things fun. Her gracious and steadfast sense of humor anchored the family, and her wit and easy laughter lightened the hearts of all in her presence. An adventurer at heart, Florine relished taking a different route to an ordinary destination, and she loved discovering a scenic spot off the beaten path for a picnic or a swim in a clear spring. In recent years, Florine savored visits by her kids and grandkids and peaceful evenings with her dear Bob on the back porch under the majestic Live Oak trees on their farm.

She is survived and cherished by her seven children, Regina, Joe, Jim, Doug, Jeff, Hoss, and Becky; daughters-in-law Daphne, Carla, Sheryl, and Nury; son-in-law Steve; grandchildren Tyng, Chris, Isabelle, Michael, Daniel, Patrick, Samantha, Olivia, Mason, Madison, Kaylin, Megan, Carson, Eleanor, and Henry; and many dear nieces and nephews. Florine was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Robert https://hiers-baxley.com/tribute/details/32492/Leo-Gulick/obituary.html#tribute-start , her parents, Elizabeth (Fox) and Joseph Louis Bernhard, and siblings Ellen (Joseph) Brosmer, Mary (John) Linville, Regina (Paul) Jacobs, Louis (Patricia) Bernhard, Margaret (Robert) Whalen, Harriette (Louis) Roesch, and Richard (Patricia) Bernhard.

A celebration of her life will be held in the springtime of 2021. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Save The Manatee.org savethemanatee.org/Florine