Florence Frances Schaldenbrand

Florence Frances (Kijek) Schaldenbrand, 82, of Plymouth, Michigan, passed away on December 26, 2022, at Henry Ford West, Bloomfield Hospital.

Florence was born in 1940 to Joseph and Louise (Kowalski) Kijek in Detroit.  Florence attended St. Andrew High School in Detroit, graduating in 1958, as an honor student with perfect attendance. Florence went on to study at Madonna College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962.  After that, she earned a Masters of Education from Wayne State University in 1965.

She spent the majority of her teaching career as a chemistry professor at her alma mater, Madonna University, where she also served as Dean of Science and Technology.

In 1966, Florence married Peter James Schaldenbrand, of Farmington, Michigan.  Together, they had three children:  Peter Joseph Schaldenbrand (spouse Cheryl Junker), Donna Louise Rossini (spouse Thomas Rossini) and Mary Elizabeth Schaldenbrand (partner Peter Hysek).

When her first grand children were born, in the year 2000, Florence was thrilled and decided to retire in order to become a full-time “Nana”.  She spent much of her time babysitting, caring for, and being a grandma-taxi for her four grandchildren:  Elizabeth Margarita Schaldenbrand, Rachel Louise Rossini, Anna-Sophie Macintosh Schaldenbrand, and Lauren Victoria Rossini.

Florence was a long-time member of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Plymouth, Michigan, as well as an avid bridge player in the parish’s ladies bridge group.

Florence is predeceased by her husband, Peter, who also passed away this year in August.  They had been married for 56 years.  She is survived by her two sisters, Sr. Mary Margaret Kijek and Sr. Mary Pauline Kijek. She is also survived by her three children, and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 47650 North Territorial Rd, Plymouth, Michigan, on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Visitation is at 9:30 A.M., Mass is at 10:30 A.M., with a luncheon following at Karl’s Cabin, 6005 Gotfredson Road, also in Plymouth.

For those planning an expression of sympathy and wish to honor the memory of Florence F. Schaldenbrand, the family advises in lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel School, 1151 William Street, Plymouth, Michigan 48170 or online at  Our Lady of Good Counsel School  - Options to donate to the Parish School or the Volbrecht Scholarship fund.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the church.