Rio Linda resident Barbara Ruth Florian passed away peacefully at her home on December 11, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old.
Born on April 14, 1936, in Riverdale, California, Mrs. Florian graduated from Laton High School in 1954. She married Vincent DePaul Florian in 1957 and together they raised six children while traveling the world during his service in the Air Force.
Mrs. Florian dedicated her life to education, serving as a beloved reading teacher at Rio Linda Elementary School for 30 years. She was proud to say she taught the local reporter from Rio Linda Online, Johnny Todd, how to read in the second grade.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Florian was an active member of the Rio Linda community. She volunteered with the Move America Forward program, supporting our troops, and was a dedicated member of the Rio Linda Grange. She also found joy in her passion for quilting, contributing to the Elder Craftsmen tradition by creating handmade items for those in need.
Mrs. Florian is survived by four daughters and two sons and their spouses, whom she loved as her own. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two brothers, David and Robert, and is predeceased by her parents, her husband Vince, and her sister Bernice.
Memorial Services:
- Interment: Monday, December 30, 2024, at 9:00 AM at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.
- Memorial Gathering: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Rio Linda Grange Hall (1315 G Street, Rio Linda). The gathering will include a memorial service, an art show featuring Mrs. Florian’s work, a yarn giveaway, and a time for family and friends to share memories.
The Rio Linda community extends its deepest condolences to the Florian family during this time of loss. Mrs. Florian will be dearly missed.
