Florence (Berard) Reynolds

TAMPA, FL -- Florence (Berard) Reynolds, formerly of Lowell, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025 at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living facility, after winning a long battle against Alzheimer's disease. Florence always retained her sweet, polite, and yet fun-loving attitude despite the incredible toll the disease took on her for many years. She never forgot her beloved family members, and was a favorite among her many caregivers.

After her 2000 retirement, Florence lived at her beloved beach in Siesta Key, FL and then in Tampa, with frequent visits "home" to Lowell to enjoy precious time and lots of laughter with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and a large extended family.

Born in Lowell on May 22, 1933, she was the eighth of ten children of the late William and Therese (Lauziere) Berard. Her father was an owner in the family business which still exists: Excel Liquors in downtown Lowell. The eight "Berard Girls" were well-known and liked in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell.

Florence attended the Ste Jeanne d'Arc school and was taught in French by the nuns until she went to Lowell High School. She was active in school clubs, but was really proud to be the 5th Major in the Girl Officers. She was member of The Class of 1950.

She attended Lowell State Teachers College and earned her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1954. Florence had a gift when it came to teaching: creative, quick, witty, and yet, patient and encouraging.

On February 5, 1953, as a college junior, Florence was critically burned in a tragic flash fire during school renovations, and was among the worst injured. At 19, she had to become left-handed. She had a very long recovery but throughout her life she downplayed her injuries and resisted special treatment.

Florence moved to Springfield, MA to begin her teaching career in 1954 and categorized those first three teaching years as happy ones. In May of 1957, she returned to Lowell to marry Brian F. Reynolds, who she met in French class at Lowell High School.

They soon moved to New York for Brian's post-Army job with Chase Manhattan Bank. Florence taught school in New York for four years, until her son was born. When the family returned to Lowell in 1968, they brought along a daughter too.

The Reynolds Family Backyard was well-known to many! Year-round there was always something happening. Florence orchestrated her role with ease, grace, and a well-placed sense of mischief. And always the right hat.

As a long-time resident of Lowell, Florence was active in community organizations: Girls Club, the YWCA, the Friends of Lowell High, and the Lowell Garden Club. She was a longtime member of Vesper Country Club, where she loved playing tennis and tracking ribbons and points for swim team meets. She chauffeured many kids to sporting practices and events all around New England. She stayed active throughout her life, with a special love for gardening and travel.

Florence taught in the Lowell School system for 25 years, primarily as a Title 1 reading teacher at the Green and Murkland schools, where she was also their Union rep. She was appointed to a district committee on effective programs due to her "energy, excitement, and knowledge" and how she taught her students to love to read and to love to learn. She was thrilled to have so many colleagues and extended family attend her retirement party in May of 2000.

Mrs. Reynolds is survived by her son Brian F. Reynolds Jr. of Dunstable, MA, a daughter and son-in-law, Gail (Reynolds) Frank and her husband Gary of Tampa, FL; five grandchildren, Andrew, and his wife Melissa of Pepperell, MA, Emily Reynolds of Hong Kong, Catherine Reynolds of Dunstable, MA, Sarah Frank of Bristol, RI, and Ryan Frank of Tampa, FL; three great-grandchildren, Aidan, Evan, and Kaylee of Pepperell, MA; four sisters, Jeannette (Berard) LaCourse, of Lowell, MA, Henriette (Berard) Corbin of Lowell, MA, Pauline (Berard) Page of Dracut, MA, and Rollande (Berard) Nagle of Chelmsford, MA; 60+ nieces and nephews and their spouses, and many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Florence was the sister of the late George Berard, Helen (Berard) Denommee, Louis Berard, Lucille (Berard) McCaron, and Madeline (Berard) Boulanger.

REYNOLDS -- In Tampa, FL, January 28, 2025 at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living, Florence I. (Berard) Reynolds, beloved mother to Brian and Gail.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 East Merrimack St., Lowell, MA on Monday, July 14 at 10 am, and to a gravesite blessing at ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY, 96 Riverneck Rd, Chelmsford, MA. Attire can be bright and cheerful to reflect Florence's lifetime love of flowers and gardening.

E-condolences/directions at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home (www.mcgaffiganfuneral.com)

Those wishing, may make contributions in her memory to the children of Lowell through the Brian F. Reynolds Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund (www.glcfoundation.org), or to Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, 220 Worthen St. Lowell, MA 01852 (www.girlsinclowell.org).

Arrangements by Funeral Directors John F. McGaffigan Jr. and Michael D. McGaffigan, Pepperell, MA, 978-433-2100