Victoria Commons Resident, 96, Takes in Phillies’ Game

Florence Finch turns 96 years young this month.
The Delaware native began spending vacations and holidays in North Cape May with her late spouse, Rick, when they purchased a home on Townbank Road in 1963.
A long time athlete, Finch competed in basketball, gymnastics and baseball while growing up.
A 1936 graduate of Milford High School, Finch ran her own beauty shop while still in her 20s. Married for 56 years, she and Rick had three children. Debra is the lone surviving child. Her sibling, Brenda, passed away in 2013 while their brother, David, died in 1985.
Finch moved to Victoria Commons eight years ago and made many new friends with residents and staff.
“Florence had been coming to the area since 1948,” said Carol Valentine, the facility’s activities director. “She always liked Cape May Beach so when the opportunity came up to purchase a house, they did.”
Finch has been a Philadelphia Phillies’ fan for as long as she can remember, so it was quite a treat when Diane Rose stepped up to donate her four season tickets so Finch and her caregivers could realize her dream of attending a ballgame at Citizens Bank Park. She’d seen the Phils play at Veterans Stadium.
Her late husband, who met his future bride while he drove the bus that took her to work, was not nearly the baseball fan she was. Over time he gradually adopted the Phillies as his team as well. She attended games at The Vet with her son.
Finch’s favorite player used to be legendary lefthander Steve Carlton and intense former shortstop and manager Larry Bowa, but these days she fancies Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz.
“She remembers when the Carpenter family owned the team,” said Valentine. “She felt they were very nice people.”
Finch and her Victoria Commons friends sat through a June 12 rainstorm to witness a 7-3 Philadelphia victory over the San Diego Padres.
“Victoria Commons grants another wish,” said Valentine proudly.
Valentine, Finch and Rose were joined by Director of Nursing Christine Gallagher and Certified Nursing Assistant Olivia Sanders for the enjoyable and memorable evening.
Finch is obviously popular and well-liked by the entire Commons’ staff.
“Other than the Phillies, she takes great pride in her gardening,” said Lori Magill.
“Florence enjoys when children come here to play their instruments or sing,” added Gallagher.
Mary Mathis said Finch is, “Always feisty and full of advice.”
Susie Lang called Finch “a great lady to know” who even helps clear tables in the dining room.
Finch, who has two grandchildren and three great grandchildren, doesn’t have any special secrets to living a long life isn’t complicated.
“She ate healthy food, lead a Christian lifestyle, and never drank or smoked,” said Valentine. “She credits her trust in God, eating right and spending her life with a wonderful person like Rick.”
Asked if she would do something all over again, she said she would go back in time to when her children were young “and things were less complicated.”
She lamented many of society’s changes including “people being dependent upon computers which don’t allow them to use their brains like they should.”
“Diane and the rest of us are all very pleased that we could help make Florence’s dream come true,” said Valentine. “She’s a special person.”