LOWELL Florence ‘Flo’ C. (MacDonald) Cortez, 87, of Lowell, passed away Friday, July 2, 2021, at D’Youville Manor Nursing Home. She was the widow of the late John F. Cortez who died in 2019.
A daughter of the late Patrick P. and the late Mary Josephine M. (MacNeil) MacDonald, she was born January 22, 1934, in Lowell, attended St. Peter’s Grammar School and Lowell High School.
She made her longtime home in Lowell and was a former communicant of St. Anthony Church.
Florence loved family and was never more happy than when she had a house full of family. She was the ultimate stay at home Mom and enjoyed time spent outside her house or on her porch with her husband. A gifted baker and cake decorator, she loved baking and made a wedding cake for each of her children. In her earlier days, she had worked at Megowan Educator in Lowell.
Her survivors include her children Catherine Klisz and her husband, Alan, of Hollis, NH, John Cortez and his wife, Sharon, of Hawaii, Stephen Cortez and his wife, Nancy, of Pepperell, and Roger Cortez of Dracut; her lifelong best friend, Theresa Santos who was like a sister to her and her longtime friend and hairdresser, Gloria Palermo of Lowell; her cherished grandchildren, Christie Klisz, Michael Klisz, Matthew Klisz, Stephanie Kane and her husband, Christopher, Stephen Cortez Jr., Sarah Cortez, John Cortez II, Roger Cortez Jr. Edward Cortez, Thomas Cortez, and Catherine Cortez; her great grandson, Samuel Kane; her cousin, Mary of Canada; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews.
The last survivor of the children of Patrick and Josephine, she was predeceased by her siblings George L. MacDonald, Patricia Costa, Jessie Conway, Michael A. ‘Gus’ MacDonald, Victor K. MacDonald, Albert J. MacDonald, John MacDonald, and Richard MacDonald.
The family would also like to thank all of those who cared for her over the past years, including, Ellie Begen, Patti, Donna and D.D. Stickney and Stephanie Mota for their kindness and compassion.
You are invited to her calling hours from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. on Wednesday. Her funeral service will be held at the conclusion of the calling hours at 12 Noon at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816. Burial in St Patrick Cemetery. WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM