Florence (Law) Chu, 97, of Danvers died on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Kaplan Family Hospice House.

Florence loved nature, gardening, drawing, taking photos of friends, good food, singing, dancing and socializing.

Turning thirty with no husband in sight, Florence purchased two and a half acres of undeveloped land on the edge of town. She spent many happy hours being an "amateur naturalist", enjoying the outdoors, planning and taming the landscape, planting flowers and building a stone wall and a one-room log cabin by hand. She called it "The Ranch".

Florence and her sister Dorothy, both single and independent women, were the trend-setting movers and shakers of Meadville, PA. The big bands frequently played nearby at Conneaut Lake's Dreamland Ballroom. All the greats – Glenn Miller, Les Brown and Perry Como played there, and Florence and her friends never missed an opportunity to kick up their heels.  One evening in early 1960, she exchanged many glances with an exotic looking man across the room. Eventually, he asked her to dance and while he clumsily stepped on her toes, he asked, "would you go anywhere in the world with me?" Eight months later, Jack and Florence were married.

Although Jack's job changes meant moving and starting over in a new city and state eight times, Florence tenaciously held onto the friendships she made along the way, sending an annual Christmas card with the year's news, and relishing those she received in return. On one of her final days, she named every one of the many friends whom she'd treasured over the years. Florence loved to take photos of each and every person who was a part of her life and diligently made copies of them to share.

Two of Florence's most treasured experiences were several months spent living in Rouen, France and Edinburgh, Scotland, both due to Jack's consulting assignments. In France, she delighted in the food, history and culture. In Scotland, she passionately researched her Scots heritage and became of lifetime member of Clan McLaren and Balquidder Church.

After Jack's unexpected passing, Florence moved to Marblehead, MA to be with her daughters. Her final move came when she announced that she was ready to move into assisted living and chose Putnam Farms in Danvers. She enjoyed the dining room, drawing and singing with fellow residents. Her favorite songs were "Sentimental Journey", "Accentuate the Positive" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

One of her favorite activities was inviting people to her apartment to see her daughter's travel photos. This is how she met Jim, and at 93, Florence fell head over heels in love. For eighteen months, Florence and Jim shared a sweet romance, proving that there is no such thing as being too old for love.

Born on a remote farm in northwest Pennsylvania on a stormy, winter's night, Florence was the daughter of Sophia and Willis Law. She graduated from Meadville High School. Florence shared forty-three years of marriage with Jack Chu, who pre-deceased her in 2003. She is survived by her daughters Elaine Chu of Marblehead and partner Jonathan Campbell; Loretta Craveiro and husband Jay of Beverly, MA; granddaughter Jette, great-granddaughter Aero and grandson Sam.

Florence will be buried at Waterside cemetery in Marblehead on Thursday, March 2, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by Murphy Funeral Home, Salem, MA.