If you ever need a dose of quick wit or a reminder that a little feistiness is the spice of life, look no further than Florence Hodum, one of The Harbor at Hickory Hill’s most beloved residents. Florence isn’t just funny—she’s downright unforgettable, with a sense of humor that can light up a room and a nurturing streak that makes everyone feel like family.



Born in Brooklyn, New York, at Kings County Hospital on July 6, 1934, Florence grew up in a lively home with three sisters—one older, two younger. She remembers her parents as gentle souls, and her mother’s cooking as nothing short of legendary. “She made dumplings that flew out of the pan,” Florence says, still savoring the memory. It’s no wonder those family meals left a mark; kindness and warmth seem to run in the family.

Florence’s childhood was full of adventure and neighborhood fun. She loved roller skating and bicycling, and when the guys from her block who’d joined the military came home on leave, they’d pull the neighborhood kids around for a game called “the whip.” With a long whip in hand, the returning soldiers would pull the kids—Florence included—around the block on their skates, a makeshift parade of laughter and squeals.

Florence’s childhood had its share of adventures, too. Like the time she slipped away to follow a parade—without telling her mother, of course. Florence was so caught up in the excitement, trailing along behind the music and the crowd, that she didn’t notice her mother had come searching for her and was now following her as she followed the parade. When Florence finally realized, she turned the tables and scolded her mother for walking so far—because if you’re going to sneak off, you might as well do it with style (and a little attitude). Some things just don’t change: even now, Florence is the first to check if the staff at The Harbor have eaten lunch, stopping them in the halls with the same care she once received herself.

Her fondest memories are sun-soaked days at Rockaway Beach and Coney Island, especially the goat and carriage rides with her younger sister and her dad. Those afternoons were pure Brooklyn magic.

After graduating from Eastern Parkway All Girls School, Florence landed a job at the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan as a key punch operator. When asked how she ended up in that line of work, Florence didn’t miss a beat. She told the story with a grin and said, “Write this down, and make sure you put it in parenthesis: (‘They pulled her by her ears and sat her at the table and made her learn all the information.’)” And then—just as quick—she added that anything written in parenthesis is not true. It’s classic Florence: a storyteller with her own rules, and a punchline ready for every occasion. 

The job itself didn’t last long; Florence was allergic to the ink and had to wear white gloves to make it through the day. In the end, that stint at the bank turned out to be less about the work, and more about the fact that she found her husband during that time—though she’s quick to note the management, all the way up to the bank president, weren’t happy because she didn’t let them meet and “approve” him first.

And not just any husband. Florence married Gerard Hodum on June 5, 1953, when she was just eighteen. Their story started well before that, though. As a child, Florence would watch Gerard from her window, telling her mother, “I’m going to marry him—he’s going to make a good father.” Her mother told her to wait until she was all grown up. Turns out, mothers know best, but Florence knew even better. They married and went on to raise seven children together—and, as if that wasn’t enough, took in a niece and nephew too.

When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, Florence shoots straight from the hip: “I’ve never gotten good advice. I am what I am because I am.” It’s classic Florence—unapologetic, self-assured, and full of life.

Today, Florence is still the heart of every room she enters—funny, feisty, and fiercely loved by her family and everyone at The Harbor. If you ask her, she’ll tell you her story with a wink, a laugh, and just enough Brooklyn sass to keep you on your toes. Spend a little time with Florence, and you’ll walk away with a smile—and maybe, just maybe, a little of her indomitable spirit.