Florence Clifford, 86

During her long life in Coeur d'Alene, Florence Clifford balanced a number of careers - homemaker, raising three children, managing two motels she and her husband Milt owned, a successful period as real estate sales woman, and a community volunteer with the Red Cross.

She was the first woman director of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Kootenai Hospital District Board, served on the Coeur d'Alene United Crusade Board and was a member of the Pacific Northwest Travel Association. And through it all she maintained her addiction to and her skill at Bridge.

Mrs. Clifford died Sept. 6, 2010, at her daughter Marsha Wise's home in Tigard, Ore., after a long battle against lung disease. She was born Florence Dell in Spirit Lake in Feb. 8, 1924, the second youngest of six children.

During World War II she married Milt Clifford, a B24 pilot and they moved to Coeur d'Alene following the war. Her husband was a longtime executive in the North Idaho lumber industry.

Mrs. Clifford began her career as a licensed Realtor in the mid-60s and became an associate broker. In 1996 she was named a Lifetime Member of the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors. "Her career stands out as one of the longest most productive in our association," her award read.

She was a 12-year member of the financial and building committee of the Kootenai Hospital District Board and chaired the operating committee for three years.

In 1980 at Kootenai Memorial Hospital's annual awards banquet she received a special award honoring her service to the board.

She and her husband traveled the world in their retirement and always returned home thankful to be living in the USA and especially in Coeur d'Alene. In 2000 Mrs. Clifford and her three children hosted her deceased husband's wartime 42X air wing's annual reunion in Coeur d'Alene.

Mrs. Clifford is survived by her three children, Brooke Clifford, Marsha Wise and Mike Clifford; her brother, Dick Dell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A party to honor Mrs. Clifford's lively spirit for life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at 301 N. First St. in Coeur d'Alene.

The family has requested that instead of flowers, donations may be sent to the Coeur d'Alene Public Library in Florence Clifford's name.