Florine (Santos) Bakke

Florine (Santos) Bakke … Loving mother, grandmother, sister

Florine (Santos) Bakke longtime resident of Westford, and Groton, MA, passed away peacefully on Jan 10, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimers. She was born August 21, 1936, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Antonio Santos and Mary (Silva) Santos. She had a rewarding career as a teacher in the Wilmington Public Schools. She had a love for knowledge and attended Lowell Teachers College, obtaining a BS in Elementary Education, and continued to Fitchburg State college where she completed a Masters in Education. 

If you ask Florine what her outstanding achievement was, she would say it was being a grandmother. Her grandchildren called her “Voavoa” and hearing that name brought a smile to her face. She loved spending time and “minding” her grandchildren; reading books, playing games, dancing and sledding with them. As they grew up she attended athletic events, soccer games, competitions, dance recitals, and recognition ceremonies. Her heart was filled with joy being part of their lives. 

Florine was an active member of her community, and a woman of faith. She was a parishioner at Saint Catherine’s Church in Westford. She had strong faith and would say daily prayers and attend daily mass. She participated in Bible Study classes and was an Extraordinary minister for RiverCourt Residences in Groton. Her kindness and love were unmatched and she truly cared for everyone she met. Her long walks on the bike path behind her home in Groton was a favorite pastime along with baking pies during apple season. She quickly and easily made friends everywhere she went. Her friendships lasted lifetimes, maintaining friendships from junior high school and college. She was a member of the Groton Women’s Club, and volunteered at Nashoba Valley hospital in the gift shop.

She leaves behind her daughter, Marianne Sharin and her husband Cliff, and her son, John Bakke and his wife Kathy, and 5 grandchildren, Joel Sharin, Max Sharin, Kristin Bakke, Alison Bakke and Emily Bakke. She also is survived by her brother John Santos of California, and a sister, Phyllis Sawyer of Arizona, as well as a niece and many nephews. Florine is preceded by her husband Waldo Bakke.

Relatives and friends are invited to Florine’s Memorial Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Friday morning, January 17, at 10 AM at BLESSED TRINITY PARISH - ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA CHURCH, 107 N Main Street, Westford. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada St #201, Newton, MA 02460 or alz.org.