Florence (D'Alessandro) Richmond

Life Legacy Florence (Filomena) Schmidt Richmond, (ne�e D�Alessandro), 91, of Tilton, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Francesco and Giovannina D�Alessandro, she was the youngest of eight children. She married Ellsworth H. Schmidt in 1945 and had two children, Linda and Robert, who enjoyed a happy childhood filled with unconditional love. Ellsworth died in 1970. She was blessed to discover love again, marrying John C. �Jack� Richmond, in 1971. Florence and Jack shared seven children, including five from Jack�s previous marriage: Michael, Linda, Sally, Janice and Cindy. Selfless and generous in her care of others, Florence always put the needs of family, friends and neighbors first. She loved to read, listen to classical music and enjoyed the natural beauty of New Hampshire. Florence was a woman of strong faith and was a member of the Sandwich Congregational Church. She coordinated the Meals on Wheels program in Sandwich, NH and volunteered at the Hall Memorial Library, the NH Veterans Home, and as a foster grandparent in the Winnisquam school district. She and Jack received the �Champions for Children Award� in 2007 from Southwick School. Petite and gentle, she earned the nickname �Spitfire� for her feisty, strong-willed nature. Once she made up her mind, heaven and earth couldn�t change it. Florence was a supportive, generous and loving presence in the lives of all she knew, especially her New Hampshire grandchildren, Sarah, Hannah, Erik, Annaliese and Isabelle. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to be lifelong learners. Florence was predeceased by her husband, Jack, on August 15, 2013. She is survived by her children, stepchildren, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and by her beloved sister, Anna Balestrieri of Hackettstown, NJ. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the loving care Florence received from the ICU nurses at Franklin Regional Hospital and from the staff at Lakes Region Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held for Florence and Jack on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 2:30 pm in the Fred Smart Chapel at the Tilton School, 30 School Street, Tilton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hall Memorial Library, 18 Park Street, Northfield, NH 03276.