Obituary of Florentine R. Worden MD

Florentine Reilly Worden, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. age 98, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2024 at the Finger Lakes Center for Living after a long illness. Florentine Joan Reilly Worden, was born on August 26, 1926 and was raised in New Brunswick, NJ, as a daughter of Olympic swimmer and long time Rutgers swimming instructor, Prof. James H. Reilly, and her mother, Gabrielle Baracca. Dr. Flo, as she was known to many, came to Auburn in 1950 as the bride of Dr. Robert Post Worden, a noted local surgeon, and they practiced medicine having privileges at both Mercy and Auburn Memorial Hospitals, with offices above the National Bank of Auburn, until they retired together in 1980 to their home on Owasco Lake. After her husband's passing in 2008, she remained in Fleming for many years and was well known and loved by a large circle of friends, former patients, and neighbors. Dr. Flo was a remarkable physician, athlete, enthusiast, wife, and mother. She won the New Jersey Women's 100 Meter Backstroke Championships in 1942 and 1943. After attending the New Jersey College for Women for two years she entered New York University on a sports scholarship and was accepted by the NYU College of Medicine in 1945 from which she graduated in the top quarter of her class in 1949 at the age of 22. She then was placed in an internship at Lenox Hill Hospital under the supervision of her future husband who was then Chief Surgical Resident Physician. They fell in love very quickly and soon decided on a life together. After their marriage, Dr. Flo and her husband came to Auburn to practice medicine and raise a family. She had her own private medical practice from 1951-1966 and was one of the first Auburn physicians Board Certified in Family Practice in 1971. In 1967 she joined a combined surgical practice with her husband which continued until their retirement. She was an accomplished golfer, avid tennis player and could ride, hunt, shoot and fish as well as anyone. She became an expert in oriental rugs and traveled to Iran before the fall of the Shah. She also had interests in geology, ornithology, and was an excellent cook and storyteller. Always cheerful and optimistic, Dr. Flo had many friends in the area and will be sorely missed. She was a wonderful mother, had a friendly ear for anyone with a problem, gave insightful advice and was always quick with a joke. Her usual toast was "Alla famiglia", meaning to the family, which was everything to her. Dr. Flo is survived by two sons, Mark Worden of Troy, NY and Robert P. Worden Jr. of New Bern, N. C. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael (Shannon) Worden, Molly (Joshua) Wangler, Nell (Anthony) Worden Pavone and James Worden, along with two great-grandchildren, Nolan and Annie Worden. She was predeceased by her daughter, Joan Post Worden in 1984. The family wishes to extend their thanks to all the staff at the Finger Lakes Center for Living who lovingly cared for her over the past 18 months. Services will be held at the Fort Hill Cemetery Bradley Chapel on October 12, 2024 at 10:30 AM., with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joan Post Worden Nursing Scholarship Fund at Cayuga County Community College. Please visit www.Langhamfuneralhomellc.com to leave a memory or condolence for the family.