Flore L. (Piston) Craig

Flore L. (Piston) Craig, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in her Concord home on Thursday, December 6, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Edward L. Craig, Jr., she was 96 years old.

Flore was born in Boston on February 16, 1922 one of seven children of Anthony W. and Florence LaPerche (Piston). She lived in Braintree and Norwood then graduated from high school in Cambridge. An avid reader, talented pianist and dedicated student, she earned a full scholarship to college. But Flore left school to help support her family during the depression.

Flore met and fell in love with Edward during WWII. They married on February 5, 1945 while Edward was in the Air Force. After the war, they had five children while living in Cambridge and Framingham before moving to Concord in 1962.

Flore was a loving and hard working mother who managed to finish her college education while raising her children in difficult circumstances. She earned a BS in Education from Framingham State College and started teaching, then a Master in Education from Northeastern University. Flore enjoyed a long career in the Maynard Public Schools as a classroom teacher, reading specialists and special educator.

After retirement, Flore and Edward enjoyed traveling. They made memorable trips to Paris, other regions of France, Spain and the Netherlands. They also explored the USA, attending elderhostels and visiting family. They went to Alaska for their 50th wedding anniversary.

Flore loved classical music all her life. She studied piano on her own when she had to, and with teachers when she could afford it. She played for her family at night, when her other work was done. She was a longtime member of the Concord Chorus and the Concord Music Club. Flore continued to play the piano, and to read for hours daily, long after she became legally blind, and even into the last year of her life.

After her husband died, Flore continued to live independently with the loving assistance of her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Richard, but eventually she needed more help. Her family will forever be grateful to Gloria Cisco Thompson, Beatrice Cisco, Ana DeConte, and Anita Nabbale, who blessed our mother's last years with their friendship, love and compassionate care.

Flore relied on members of Holy Family Parish who drove her to Mass, then kept her in their prayers, visited, and brought her communion at home. Her family deeply appreciated all those friends, old and new, who helped her stay connected to her Faith community. We also are so thankful to everyone at Care Dimensions Hospice for their constant support and great kindness during Flore's final illness.

Flore is survived by her children Mary E. Craig of Falls Church, VA, Edward Craig of Haverhill, Catherine Hopkins (John) of Alexandria, VA, Patricia Craig and husband Richard Wolf of Natick and Michele L. Craig and partner Kevin Mortenson of South Deerfield, her nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and her brother Thomas Piston of WA. Her grandson Daniel MacEwen, her brothers Peter Piston, Anthony Piston Jr., sisters Leona Hatfield, Patricia Piston and Elise Piston predeceased her.


Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Flore on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St., Concord. Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 am at Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center, Concord. Burial in St. Bernard's Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made to:
Doctors Without Borders
40 Rector St., 16th Floor
New York, NY 10006
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
or
UNHCR
1775 K Street NW, Suite 580
Washington, DC 20006
www.UNrefugees.org