Florence Cynthia (See) Trimble, age 92, died Dec. 29, 2002, in
Gilroy.
Florence Cynthia (See) Trimble, age 92, died Dec. 29, 2002, in Gilroy.
Florence was born on July 22, 1910, in Barnard, Kan., to Florence Coralin (Purinton) and Rev. Joseph Northrop See. She graduated cum laude from Kansas Weslyan University in 1932, and began her teaching career. She married John Trimble on June 10, 1934, in Evanston, Ill., where he was completing his ministerial training.
The couple served churches in Kansas, Wyoming and Iowa before moving to California with their five children in 1948. In California they continued their ministry in Tranquility, Fresno, Farmersville, Poplar and Tipton. They moved to Gilroy in 1970 following her husband’s retirement, where Mrs. Trimble was a reading resource specialist in the Morgan Hill Unified School District until her retirement in 1978. She continued teaching English as a Second Language until last year. She worked unceasingly to provide shelter for homeless people in the Gilroy area.
She was honored with numerous awards, including the Northern California-Nevada United Methodist Church Bishop’s Award; the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission Toni Sykes Award; the JC Penney Golden Rule Award; and recognition from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, California-Nevada United Methodist Women, and three presidents of the United States. She was one of the recipients of President Bush’s 1,000 Points of Light awards. The Gilroy Methodist Church named its new education building for her, and the Gilroy Dispatch dubbed her “the Mother Teresa of Gilroy.”
Florence was a life-long activist. She inspired others with her continual constant benevolence.
Survivors include son Ray Trimble and his wife Mary of Morgan Hill; son Mark and his wife DeAnna Rafanelli of Sacramento; daughter Mary Trimble of Sacramento; and son Joe Trimble and his wife Pat Leake of Daly City; grandchildren Teresa and Ben Hernandez of Morgan Hill with great-grandchildren, Cristina, B.J. and Cristian; Andrew Trimble of Virginia; Diana Trimble of Carmichael; and Judi Trimble of Galt; Julie Caspersen and Eric Schultz, and Janine Caspersen of Sacramento; Janel Brynda of Daly City, and John and Desiree Brynda, currently at Beale AFB with great-grandchildren Sebastian, Cyan and Cynthia. She also leaves three dear nieces Gladys Church, Mildred Law and Alice Bamberger in Kansas, and their families; and a multitude of friends across the country.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. John R. Trimble, and a son, Paul LeRoy Trimble.
People wishing to give donations in her memory could contribute to any of the numerous organizations she supported, including: Gilroy Emergency Housing Consortium; Habitat for Humanity; The Carter Center; Heifer International Project; United Farm Workers; American Civil Liberties Union; Southern Poverty Law Center; Goodwill; Mothers for Peace; Witness for Peace; Ecumenical Peace Institute; Amnesty International; American Friends Service Committee; Gilroy United Methodist Church; Interfaith Alliance; California Council of Churches; United Methodist Congress for the Deaf; American Lung Association; Easter Seals; March of Dimes; American Cancer Society; Disabled Veterans; California Council on Alcohol Problems; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Nature Conservancy; KTEH; KQED; Kansas Wesleyan University; Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary; or to a favorite charity.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
