Florence died peacefully in her sleep, Nov. 20, 2012 in Petaluma, CA. She was 52 years old.

Florence was born Oct. 10, 1960 in Bordeaux, France to Maria and Pete Padron. Raised in a military family, she grew up in Hawaii and Denmark, before entering high school Bremerhaven, Germany, where she was active in track and volleyball. After moving to Manteca, CA in 1976 and graduating from East Union High in 1978, she entered UC Davis, where she obtained her BS in Physical Anthropology in 1983. In 1986 she married Scott Baker, and they moved to Pacifica, CA during which Florence received her Biology teaching credential at SF State and taught at SSF and Terra Nova High Schools. She briefly ran her own travel agency, and was able to take extended trips to South America and Africa. In Pacifica, Florence was active in starting a community garden, farmer’s market, and organizing two Earth Day events.In 1999, Florence received her registered nursing degree from College of Marin, after which the family moved to San Anselmo, and Florence began working the next 10 years at Marin General Hospital labor and delivery.

In 2004, Florence was able to realize one of her dreams when the family built a home on a five acre farm in Petaluma, where Florence and family produced free range eggs and raw milk as Padron Farms. Due to her great love of animals and scientific background, her eggs quickly became among the best rated in the bay area, according to an article in the SF Chronicle. She was an avid fan and supporter of Petaluma High School sports, Live Oak 4H, and various other local causes.

Florence leaves behind her husband Scott, sons Reginald 20 and Mitchel 13, along with her devoted father Pete of Manteca, CA and sister Jennifer of Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death her mother Maria.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty Street, Petaluma, CA. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2012 from 11:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. with a Vigil Service at 4:00 P.M. at the Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association Inc., PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-6078.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Thursday, November 22, 2012