Florence Stowe

Services Announced 

Florence's Memorial Service Will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 12:00 (noon)

First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church Road in Shrewsbury

Reception to follow and all are welcome

SHREWSBURY, MA — Florence (Schillereff) Stowe died February 7, 2025, after a long illness. Florence was one of five children of Jacob and Mary (Eisenach) Schillereff, born in Casper, Wyoming. She grew up in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and graduated from high school there.

She attended Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, for two years, after which time she transferred to New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a minor in Voice.

Florence met her husband of almost 70 years, David Stowe, when she came east to attend the Conservatory. Walter Dobler, the husband of Florence’s older sister, Pauline, was the minister at Millbury’s First Congregational Church and knew the Stowes of West Millbury, who attended his church. Florence and David married in 1950 and bought a house in Shrewsbury, where they lived for over 60 years. 

Florence taught music in the Worcester school system for 25 years. During those years, she was active in the Worcester Chorus, Worcester Light Opera, was a member of the Master Singers of Worcester, and was a voice soloist (soprano) for many local churches. She spent 20 happy years as a soloist for Wesley United Methodist Church under the direction of Leroy Hanson. Florence played an active role for many years in the music program at her own First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury.

After retirement, Florence continued teaching voice and piano in her home. Her greatest pleasure was to pass on her love of music to her students. She was also a docent at the Worcester Art Museum and a member of Shrewsbury Garden Club, Music Guild, and Music Students Club.

Florence loved the outdoors and would walk two miles each day, weather permitting. She was a member of the “Loonies Ski Club,” and, with David and friends, loved skiing the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and nearby Mount Wachusett. The family always enjoyed visiting and hiking at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston. Florence and David also greatly enjoyed playing golf with their friends.

David and Florence were the beloved elders and heads of the Stowe family, and each became a surrogate parental figure to many of their nieces and nephews. They hosted Thanksgivings and were with us at most family gatherings. Throughout the years, they were charming friends to all of us. 

Florence was predeceased by her husband, David, her parents, and four siblings: Ruth (died as a baby); Pauline (Walt) Dobler; Herman “Ike” (Betts) Schillereff; and Herbert “Herb” (Lorna) Schillereff. Florence leaves many nieces and nephews. On the Schillereff side: John P. Monto of New Hampshire; David Dobler and his wife Laura of Anchorage, Alaska; Robert Dobler and his wife Mary of Boardman, Oregon; Sharon Schillereff of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Greg Schillereff and his wife Christine of Parker, Colorado; Scott Schillereff of Newfoundland, Canada. Florence was predeceased by her niece, Margaret Dobler Monto and her nephew, Steven Schillereff. On the Stowe side: Richard Stowe and his wife Natasha of Shelter Island, New York; Marilynn Stowe Tomb and her husband William of Gill, Massachusetts; Robert Stowe and his wife Rosalind of Fairfield, Iowa; Kathleen Stowe Snow and her partner Charles of Springfield, Massachusetts; Virginia Stowe of New York City; Cindy Stowe Wilder and her husband Tim of Worcester, Massachusetts. Florence was predeceased by her husband, David’s, brothers, Richard and his wife, Virginia; Robert; and Donald and his wife, Roberta; and her nephew, Donald “Rusty” Stowe. Florence also has many grand-nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, and cousins on both sides. 

Florence and David had many loyal friends in the Worcester and Shrewsbury area, many of whom continued to visit Florence daily and weekly during the last years of her life, keeping love, laughter, and music in her life.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Shrewsbury Rehabilitation & Nursing at Southgate for five years of kindness—and the loving nurses, aids, and therapists at Notre Dame Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are at Mulhane Home for Funerals in Millbury. A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury in the spring, and all are welcome. Burial and a graveside service at West Millbury Cemetery will be private and at the discretion of the family. 

Please consider making a donation in Florence’s name to the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury at https://www.fccsm.org/