Florence M. (Dillon) Mugford, 90, widow of Paul H. Mugford, formerly of John Wise Avenue, Essex, died Wednesday, September 24, 2014 in The Edgewood Centre, Portsmouth, New Hampshire following a long illness.

Born September 9, 1924 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Raymond J. and Helen I. (Haire) Dillon of Worcester, she attended schools in Worcester and married in 1946.  In 1951, she and her husband moved to Essex where they lived and were active members of the community for over fifty-five years. 

Paul and “Flo” enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Gloucester Skippers during the 1960’s and 1970’s.  A long-term member of the Essex Congregational Church, Flo was an active participant in the Madam Varney Guild and served as deaconess of the church.

She was a supporter of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and the Essex Historical Society.  An avid reader and gardener, Flo was a full-time homemaker, raising five children. In 2004, after the death of her husband, Flo moved to Durham NH, where she enjoyed visits with family, new friends and jazz concerts.

She is survived by her children, Rebecca M. Burkhart, of Springfield MO, Jeanne M. Livermore, of Lee, NH, Paul A. Mugford, of Rochester, NH, John R. Mugford, of Kennebunk, ME, and Barbara Mugford, of Seattle, WA; by her three grandchildren, Brian Burkhart, of Tucson, AZ, Michelle Goodman, of Springfield, MO and Molly Mugford, of Kennebunk ME and by nine great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 10 am Saturday, October 25, 2014 in  the First Congregational Church, 39 Main Street, Essex. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to  the Church (http://www.fccoe.org ) and, or to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701