Floramae Heuges Force

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Floramae Heuges Force, 91, died Monday, October 23, 2023, with family, at the Hospice of Medina County, shortly after a fall.

Floramae, often known as “FM” to her husband and family, lived most of her life in Philadelphia, PA, and northeastern suburbs, especially Jenkintown. She moved to Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls, at age 90, to be close to her daughter as her health declined.

Floramae was the wife of Dr. Thomas Force for 69 years. However, their relationship really began when they were in second grade, though they didn’t hit it off at first. Floramae would go home to her parents and say, “I can’t stand that Thomas Force.” By eighth grade, enmity had turned to fascination. They began dating in high school and married in 1953 after they each finished college, she at West Chester State Teachers College and he at Bucknell.

Their marriage was not just a love affair, but also a partnership.

While Tom was in medical school, Floramae supported them by teaching primary school. When Tom started his solo OB/GYN practice in Philadelphia, Floramae acted as receptionist, ad hoc accountant, and office decorator.

As Tom’s practice flourished, she stepped away from those duties and became the household investment manager, at which she succeeded spectacularly. (She bought Apple stock in the 1980s.)

Even though Floramae taught school for only a few years, she was a lifelong teacher. She taught Sunday school most of her life and was a docent in schools for the Philadelphia Orchestra, which she loved.

She also loved stylish clothes, ice cream, and butter.

Floramae was born on May 1, 1932, in Philadelphia, the daughter of F. Raymond Heuges and Flora (Fulton) Heuges. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Joan M. Heuges Poolos. She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Phil) Canuto; son, Thomas (Kathy) Force, and two grandchildren, Andrew (Ashley) Force and Tori (Riley) Page.

She will be interred in a private ceremony next to her husband at Forest Hills Cemetery, Huntingdon Valley, PA.