Florence M. Ormond - Obituary

lo Ormond dedicated over 50 years of her life to the Maryland arts community. In acting and teaching drama, she inspired others to reach for the stars. As an artist, she shared her talents and taught budding painters of all ages a love of painting. She used her gift with words to help others create memorable plays, books, and articles to promote the arts. Flo gave of herself to see others shine. Florence Marie Ormond, 87, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2023, at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Born in Bermuda, Flo was the daughter of the late Marie Pittman Hawkins and William A.P. Hawkins. She moved to Long Island, New York as a child and lived there through high school and college. She attended and graduated from Hofstra University where she met her husband, Edward J. Ormond, in an English class. They were both English majors and shared a love of the theater. They married after graduation and lived in New York until Ed became a Naval officer. Her husband’s naval career took them to New Jersey, and then more excitingly, to Naples, Italy. She lived off base out in town and learned Italian quickly by necessity. She remembered her times in Italy as some of her best, and this is where she became a mother to her first-born, Eddy. The Navy stationed the growing family in Virginia Beach, VA, next where Flo had her second child, Valerie. Ed joined the Naval Reserves and moved the family up north to Bowie, MD, where he pursued a civil service career working for the Department of the Navy. Flo, too, worked in the civil service for what was then called “The Children’s Bureau,” working in public relations until she became a stay-at-home mom. Not one to sit still, she found part-time work with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission as a drama teacher. Over the years, she taught hundreds of students from ages six to eighteen, many of whom continued on to successful careers as actors, playwrights, directors, producers, and even a master puppeteer. The students who remained in touch with her shared their accomplishments, attributing them to her beginning. Besides teaching drama, Flo was a successful actor, director, and producer. The highlight of her acting career was touring with Arena Stage’s production of “Our Town” in Russia in the 1970s as part of a cultural exchange during the Cold War. When her children became teenagers, Flo went back to work as a technical writer supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She worked with brilliant scientists, made lifelong friends, travelled the world, and enjoyed a successful career until her retirement. In 1992, Flo finally bought the waterfront home she had wanted all her life when she moved to Churchton, MD, where she enjoyed nature, family, and a whole new set of fun and caring friends, the Broadwater Point crowd. She looked forward to the many neighborhood gatherings and cherished her times at the Oyster Roasts, the 4th of Julys, the Holiday Desserts events, the Preakness Parties, the “Girls’” Happy Hours, and more. Retirement didn’t quite work out for Flo. She started taking art classes at the South Anne Arundel County Senior Center, and before long, she was teaching the class. She specialized in “One-stroke Painting” and taught at four locations gaining return students for years who became her good friends. Flo also showed her artwork as a member of the Muddy Creek Artists Guild and in local galleries. One of her paintings, White Peacock, earned “Most Popular in Show” honors during Quiet Waters Park’s art show. Flo finally stopped teaching at the age of 86. She was most proud of her two children, Eddy and Valerie Ormond. Eddy inherited his mother’s teaching gene and has taught elementary school for over 25 years in Anne Arundel County and in China. An English and Drama major himself, Eddy infused the theater arts into his curriculum inspiring another generation – globally – with Ormond-style theater. Valerie followed in her father’s footsteps becoming a Naval officer and retiring at the rank of Captain following a career in Naval intelligence. Like her mother, she did not retire well either and began her second career as a writer and the author of three award-winning novels. Flo also loved Eddy’s partner, Doug Willis, who was one of her best friends and loyal companions and Valerie’s husband, Jaime Navarro (CAPT, USN-Ret.), who was a true gentleman to her and always made her feel special. Flo’s description of herself as a painter at art shows said: “There is beauty all about us, and it does the heart and soul good to just stop and enjoy each scene we encounter every day.” Flo lived her life with the glass half full, and she will always be remembered that way. The family will hold a celebration of life at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Alliance of South County (communityalliancesc.org). Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.