Mrs. Florence (Corea) Alexander, age 95, a life long resident of Provincetown, died Monday March 30, 2015 at Seashore Point in Provincetown. She was the wife of the late Warren A. Alexander Jr. who died in 1970. Born on December 25, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Mayo) Corea and the sister of the late John Corea.
Only 50 years old when her husband died, Florence was a resourceful, self-reliant woman. She left school in the 8th grade to help support her family. At around 20 years old she became a hairdresser and only retired about 5 years ago. For many years she worked as the hairdresser at Cape End Manor, currently Seashore Point and later Gately Funeral Home, formerly McHoul Funeral Home in Provincetown. Because she knew so many people in Truro and Provincetown, her service to the Funeral Home was always comforting to those making funeral arrangements. Family members would often say “Oh Florence will now what to do,” when referring to how someone wore her hair.
Her love of Provincetown was at the heart of her very active life. She was a member of several organizations and she was always willing to take an active role. She was the secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary of both the VFW and American Legion. She served on the Board of Directors for the Council on Aging. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Drill Team, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Elks. Many years ago she was a member of the local bowling teams in Provincetown and won several trophies. During the Viet Nam era she started the practice of letter writing and sending “care” packages to soldiers serving in the war. In her spare time, she crocheted “lap afghans” which she donated to the Elks and they in turn donated them to hospitals. She also enjoyed playing the accordion. Many of the former customers of Michael Shea’s Restaurant probably enjoyed a piece of “Flo’s Chocolate Cake” which she would make every few days to sell at the restaurant.
Florence had two daughters, Shirley Perry and her husband Dave whom she lived with in Provincetown and her daughter Floralee Harris of Arroyo-Grande, CA, She was the mother in law of the late Bob Harris who died last year. She is the grandmother of Lisa Oakes and her husband Michael of Santa Maria, CA, David Perry and his wife Flavia of Hopedale, MA and Alex Perry and his wife Yohandra (Yoe) of Wellfleet, MA. She also has 6 great grand children, Alex. Cole, Mellissa and Anthony Perry, Kyle and Mason Oakes.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Cemetery in Provincetown at a later date. There are no visiting hours. If desired memorial contributions in honor of Florence may be made to the Provincetown Rescue Squad PO Box 109 Provincetown, MA 02657. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit the Funeral Home website at WWW.Gatelyfuneralservice.com.