Florence Lindner of Waterbury passed away August 12, 2016, at Woodridge Nursing Home at the age of 90.
Florence was born in Stowe on October 24, 1925, as the second youngest of five daughters belonging to Claude and Margaret Adams. Until 1938 she grew up on a farm in Little River where she attended a one-room schoolhouse. Both the farm and the schoolhouse locations are now underneath the waters of the Waterbury Dam.
In 1938, the family moved to Stowe Hollow where she attended Stowe High School making the long walk into the village to attend school. Florence graduated in 1945 as co-valedictorian. Remaining in Stowe, she was hired by the Mt. Mansfield Company and worked at the Octagon on the summit of the mountain where she met Erwin “Lindy” Lindner who was director of the Mt. Mansfield ski patrol. They were married in 1946.
The following year, Lindy was hired by Perry Merrill to work for the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks. The young couple moved into the state ski dorm and later into the state ski shelter (base lodge for the ski area) where they remained until 1962. Together they ran the state campground and picnic area at Mt. Mansfield until transferring to the state campground at Little River in Waterbury. Although Florence was never on the state payroll, she was key to operating both state parks for many decades.
Family was always foremost in Florence’s life. She was a great mother who always instilled her values into her children’s lives. She would ski with them (even though she feared falling) and always read to them at bedtime. Her grandchildren will always cherish their time with her, going for walks or to playgrounds, playing games, reading books or just cuddling.
As a self-taught bookkeeper she was employed by a variety of businesses in Waterbury and most notably for a great many years at Keller and Lowe Land Surveyors and Ward Lumber Company. She later worked for Heney Real Estate in Montpelier. For a period of time she was assistant town clerk in Waterbury.
Florence was very active in community affairs such as the Red Cross blood drives, Emerald Rebekahs and Waterbury Historical Society. She was active in the Adams/Ayers family picnics. For many years she enjoyed numerous bus trips across the country with her friends. In later years she was a resident at the Squier House and then at Woodridge Nursing Home.
She was predeceased in 1980 by her husband and by her grandson, Kenny Lindner, in 2002. Survivors include two sons, Bruce Lindner and his wife Ruth of Colchester and Brian Lindner of Waterbury; and daughter, Patti and her husband Albie Lewis of Berlin; also five granddaughters, Kimberley Lindner, Erica (Lindner) Viens, Kristen (Lewis) Dukette, Brittany and Kaitlin Lewis; as well as four great-granddaughters, Lindsey LaCross and Kendra, Cierra and Cydney Viens.
A Celebration of her Life will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Mansfield Base Lodge, Route 108, Stowe, VT. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston, VT 05495. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
