Florence Cecilia (Puim) Lundstrom, of Melrose and South Yarmouth, passed away peacefully at home in Melrose on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the age of 104.

Born in Boston in 1921, she was the daughter of the late John Puim and Mildred (Olson) Puim of Melrose. She married Arthur O. Lundstrom at the First Lutheran Church in August 1944 and cherished 60 years together before his passing.

She is survived by her daughter Janet A. Lundstrom of Malden; her son James P. (Cheryl) Lundstrom of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; her granddaughter Sarah M. Lundstrom of Worcester; her grandson James G. Lundstrom of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; and her great-granddaughter Melanie C. Lundstrom of Port Saint Lucie, Florida. She was predeceased by her sons John A. Lundstrom (Susan) of North Reading and infant son Robert S. Lundstrom of Melrose.

Florence lived in Medford until the age of five before her family settled on Forest and Beacon Streets in Melrose, where she spent happy childhood days with her Portuguese maternal grandmother and cousins and her maternal Swedish grandparents, loving aunts, and uncles. She delighted in sledding down Forest Street, skiing, ice skating at Mt. Hood and Swain's Pond, playing tennis and ping pong, and taking walks in the woods.

A 1939 graduate of Melrose High School, Florence went on to attend Malden Business School, completing her studies in bookkeeping and accounting, and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi business sorority. She built a working career at Arthur Perry and Sons Investment Company, where she was trusted to close the financial books alongside auditors. After raising her family, she returned to work in the business office at Revere Knitting Mills in Wakefield.

Florence's love story with Arthur began in the most serendipitous way. After attending a dance for servicemen in Boston with her sorority sisters, she stopped by a neighbor's house and met a handsome Navy man named Arthur. They were engaged before his leave was over. Following the war, during which Arthur was a Pearl Harbor survivor, the couple moved briefly to Colorado Springs before returning to Melrose, where they built their home on Cargill Street beside her parents' house and welcomed children Janet, John, and Robert. In 1954, they moved to Vinton Street and welcomed James.

Affectionately known as "Curly," Florence was a devoted stay-at-home mother who actively participated in her children's activities including Blue Birds, Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, and Tri Hi-Y, taking her boys fishing, and caring for a wide variety of beloved pets. She was an active and faithful member of First Lutheran Church in Malden, where she raised her family, and also belonged to the Melrose VFW Auxiliary Post #2394 and Vinland of Cape Cod Lodge #703, among other organizations.

After Arthur's retirement, the two embarked on a memorable chapter abroad, building a villa in Bahia Casares, Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean. They traveled widely including  visiting family in Sweden, friends in Denmark and Barcelona, and journeying on to Norway, Portugal, Morocco, Singapore, and Thailand, with several trips to Sydney and Perth, Australia to visit wartime friends.

Upon settling in South Yarmouth on Cape Cod after their years in Spain, Florence embraced her many artistic talents. She enjoyed time sewing, quilt making, drawing, painting, needlepoint, and crewel work. She was a prolific reader and a regular at both the Melrose and South Yarmouth libraries. She loved going to the beach, playing bingo, attending the Senior Center, and cheering on her son John at Scottish Highland Games, where he excelled. Her poodles and beautiful cats brought her tremendous joy. For a number of years, she and Art also escaped the New England winters at their mobile home in Stuart, Florida.

Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she treasured every moment watching them grow. Her five-year-old great-granddaughter Melanie was an absolute delight to her.

Relatives and friends are warmly invited to honor Florence's life for her Funeral Service at First Lutheran Church, 62 Church St., Malden on Thursday, April 30 at 1:00pm. Interment to follow at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.