Florence Eleanor Gildea

Tributes~Florence Eleanor Gildea

Florence Eleanor Gildea
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Date of Birth: 
April 11 1913
Date of Death: 
December 24 1994

Miss Florence "Honey" Eleanor Gildea died Christmas Eve 1994 at Oceanside Nursing Center after a long illness. My Aunt Honey was born in Savannah, on April 11, 1913 - the second child in her family with the name Florence. she served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nursing Corps in Southhamton England during World War II. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4392 and American Legion Post 154.

She is survived by her Sister Mary Daria Gildea, R. S. M., of Savannah; four nephews, John H. Fischer, Neil J. Fischer, Francis J. Fischer and Charles E. Fischer; and a number of great-nephews and great-nieces. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with burial in the Catholic Cemetery in the family plot.

FLORENCE E. GILDEA - MILITARY SERVICE RECORD
Name: Florence E. Gildea
Branch of Service and Serial/Service Number: Army of the United States 727 604
Dates of Service: August 30, 1942 to January 9 1946
Duty Status: Discharged
Rank/Grade: 1st Lieutenant
Assignments and Geographical Locations:
ASF 4 SVC Camp Blanding, Florida [Army Service Forces 4 Service Comand]
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, August 30, 1942
4th SC SO 222/1, 60th Station Hospital, September 4, 1942 [4th SCSU Service Comand Service Unit]
Camp Kilmer NJ, November 30, 1942
[Honey crossed the ocean to England on 7 December 1942 on the Queen Elizabeth.]
110th Station Hospital, December 17, 1942 [Honey served in the psychiatric ward.]

Decorations and Awards:
World War II Victory Medal
Lapel Service Button
Place of Entry: Savannah, Georgia
Place of Separation: Camp Blanding, Florida

Florence "Honey" Gildea was my hero. She served in World War II and was stationed in the psychiatric ward at the 110th Station Hospital in Netley, Southampton, England at the time of the D-Day invasion, caring for soldiers with mental problems. She came home and opened a horse stable in Savannah and cared for each of her siblings as they got old and died. She could do the work of any man despite her tiny 5' 4" frame - a product of her Irish and Southern roots.

She was never afraid to speak her mind and speak truth to power. Her letters to politicians, government bureaucrats and to the editors of local newspapers were storied.

Florence's father Neil Gildea, once a wealthy self-made man, lost much during prohibition and later during the Great Depression, having loaned money to many on a handshake. Aunt Honey, her sisters Catherine "Katie" Margaret Fischer, Sister Mary Daria Gildea (Elizabeth Jane), and Mary all out lived their brothers and lived out their lives in the home their brother built on Wilmington Island, Savannah, Georgia. They had little but did not complain. Florence "Aunt Honey" cared for each of her siblings until she finally died on Christmas Eve 1994.

Photos below:
1. Tombstone of Florence Gildea at the Catholic Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.
2. Photo of Florence in her military uniform.
3. Cover of Florence's military ID.
4. Inside of Florence's military ID.
5. Photo of Florence from nursing school graduation.
6. Photo of Florence's nursing school graduation.
7. Florence's obituary published in the Savannah Morning News, December 1994.
8. Aunt Honey - Florence Gildea - Circa 1973 at Wilmington Island.
9. Florence Eleanor Gildea circa 1944
10. Florence Eleanor (Aunt Honey) Gildea, Elizabeth Jane (Sr. Mary Daria) Gildea, Catherine Margaret (Grandma Kate) Gildea Fischer and Charles Fischer (Chuckie) circa 1950.

Media data: 
Place of Birth: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States
Place of Death: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States
Primary State of Residence: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States

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