Sybil I Florant
Feb. 4, 1928-Feb. 27, 2021
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by GREGORY FLORANT
Sybil Iona Buckmire Florant passed away on February 27, 2021 in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 93. She was born February 4, 1928 in Harlem, N.Y. Her Father, Percy Buckmire was from Grenada and her mother, Iona Buckmire was from Barbados. Sybil graduated from Evander Childs High School and earned an Associate degree in nursing in NYC. In 1950 she married Lester E. Florant. They lived in Englewood, N.J, until 1958 when they moved to Fife Avenue in Palo Alto, CA. This was a difficult move for a woman who considered herself a New Yorker! Sybil was a classy, sophisticated lady, who thought she would never survive without New York City. Over time, she discovered that she loved the West and missed the big city less and less. She and Lester moved to their home on Oregon Avenue in 1959. She attended San Jose State College while raising three boys, and in 1965 received her B.S. degree in public health. She quickly got a job with the Santa Clara County Health Department and worked diligently to improve the county’s public health for 40+ years. Sybil loved her family and friends, and she adored her 8 grandchildren. She particularly loved cooking for family get-togethers and sharing life stories. She loved to hike, cook, sew and knit. She and Lester traveled the world as often as they could. She was an ardent supporter of woman’s rights and was active in community affairs; she taught pre and post-natal care classes to young woman. She attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Palo Alto for most of her adult life. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She was beacon of light that shined in our lives and always made us feel loved.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Florant and her brother Ozzie Buckmire. She is survived by her sons: Gregory (Tracy), Mark (Jill) and Carl and eight grandchildren: Aria, Daniella (Philip Homnack), Alexandra, Raymond, Marissa MacKenzie, Kristofer, and Tommy.
Tags: public service
