Florine "Mamma Flo" VanBuskirk

Florine “Mama Flo” VanBuskirk, 78, of Biloxi, MS died peacefully at home on Monday, May 5, 2014. Floie, also known as “Mama Flo”, was born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 6, 1936 at which time a mold was truly broken. She lived in St. Clair, MI most of her adult life until moving to Biloxi in 2002 after the death of her husband Mick VanBuskirk. While in St. Clair, she worked as a fine dining server for many years at the Voyageur Restaurant until retirement age. She enjoyed participating in the Southernettes Mardi Gras Krewe, boating in the Gulf of Mexico, spending time with her family and friends and walking her poodle companion, Buddy. Floie never met a stranger and enlightened all with her spunky, positive attitude, infectious smile and zest for life. She was truly an angel with a heart of pure gold that touched the lives of so many people…..a measurement of her success. She will forever be remembered and missed by all. She is survived by her children - daughter Michelle (Johnny) Phillips of Biloxi, MS, daughter Jeanne (John) Starr of Port St. Lucie, FL, and son Jeffrey (Lisa) Sharrow of St. Clair, MI.; her grandchildren Joshua (Yadira) Phillips of Biloxi, MS, Chantelle (Wayne) Schoonover of Slidell, LA, John Michael Starr of Port St. Lucie, FL, Camille Sharrow of Chicago, IL and Carmen Sharrow of St. Clair, MI.; great-grandchildren Tyler and Trevor DeCoronado and Katelyn Schoonover all of Slidell, LA; sisters-in-law Kathy (Larry) Geddings and Pat Luck of Picayune, MS and Janie (Chuck) Biscorner of St. Clair, MI; her “Partner in Crime” cousin, Nancy Stark of Pittsburgh, PA, numerous nieces, nephews, wonderful friends, her extended “Southernettes” family and her devoted protector dog, Buddy. Floie is preceded in death by her husband, Mick, her son, Gordon Sharrow and her parents. A visitation is being held in Biloxi, MS. on Thursday, May 8th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue. A visitation will also be held at Young Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in East China, Michigan on Monday, May 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Services at 12:00 p.m.) with a graveside interment immediately following at Rosehill Cemetery, East China Township. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Humane Society of your choice. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com