Florence Hoinski 

Ex-Clerk recalled as “legend”...
By Robert Storace - The Public Eye
(New Haven Register 3-17-99)

Former Town Clerk Florence Hoinski was remembered Monday as a “legend in the community” by Mayor Nancy Valentine.

Hoinski, a former alderwoman who served 16 years as town clerk and dedicated her life to helping her family, friends, her church and strangers, died Sunday at 80 after a brief illness.

“She is a legend in the community. Legends do not just fade away,” said Valentine, who spent much of her day consoling and listening to colleagues and friends of Hoinski.

“If we had an award for the most pleasant and helpful in the office, it would be Florence,” the mayor said.

Hoinski served as assistant town clerk for seven years and retired as town clerk after 16 years of service in March 1997.

Over and over again the works kind, gentle, pleasant, sweet and special were used to describe Hoinski.

The words of praise for Hoinski were genuine and heartfelt, but those who knew her said she lived her life not for the praise but because she knew no other way.

She was fondly remembered by the mayors and city officials who knew her as town clerk, parishioners at St. Joseph’s Church where she played an active role, and fellow members of Polish Falcons Nest 767, Kosciuszko Historical Society and the Derby Historical Society.

“She always had a glow in her eye. She always had a dimple with her beautiful smile,” said City Clerk Madeline Bottone, who took over as town clerk after Hoinski and served as her assistant for 16 years. “She was a part of my family. She took me under her wing and taught me how to be with people who come into the office.

While the 23 years she served in the town clerk’s office were important to her, Bottone said Hoinski’s “family was foremost in her life. She has wonderful stories to tell of her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother.”

Speaking from Naples, FL former Mayor Bill Menna said Hoinski was “one of the most dedicated people I ever knew. She went overboard to help you with anything.”

It gave Hoinski great pleasure to be around young people her friends said. “She had such a love for children,” Valentine said. She was this wonderful grandmother figure, she radiated. She always worked hard at the church for children, taking part in bingo and other fund-raisers for children.”

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Hoinski, Thursday at 10am in St. Joseph’s Church. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Derby.

OBITUARY - New Haven Register

Florence Hoinski died March 14, 1999. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and Women’s Guild, Polish Falcons Nest #767, Kosciuszko Historical Society, the Derby Historical Society, the Retired Town Clerk’s Association. she was a graduate of Ansonia High School, the Franklin Institute of Technology in Philadelphia, PA, graduating as a laboratory technician. She worked at the Memorial Hospital in New London, St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury and the Griffin Hospital in Derby. She entered into politics as a Selectwoman in 1969. In 1974, she was appointed assistant Town and City Clerk by then Town and City Clerk J. Edward Cook. Following Mr. Cook’s retirement in April of 1981 she was selected by the Board of Alderman to fill his post. A Democrat, she was elected and re-elected in every subsequent election until her retirement March 4, 1997. Florence received the first Dorothy Larson Achievement Award from the Derby Historical Society in 1997. She served as Co-Chairman of the Ansonia Bicentennial Commission.