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Florence M. Zeller, 77, died on Saturday, July 15, 2023 of cancer. The cancer, known as cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer, was her second encounter with the disease. Over thirty years ago, Florence had survived breast cancer with no remissions. Last summer, a routine scan, scheduled periodically in response to the earlier cancer, led to the discovery of the second cancer. Until the very end of her life, Florence was working with her Church in several capacities, with her former colleagues as a mentor, with nonprofit groups as an advisor and consultant, with her book groups as active participant and with her large circle of friends in the neighborhood and beyond. She provided support and a positive attitude to all. Florence was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 12, 1946 but spent most of her early life in Garden City, Long Island. She graduated from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in 1968, and then worked for The George Banta publishing company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While in Boston, she met her future husband Steve, who was attending graduate school in the area. In June 1971 they married and moved to Washington, DC where Flo had her only child, Devin, in 1977. While in Washington, Florence provided staff support to a volunteer project to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Treaty of Paris. She was staff to The Grace Commission of President Ronald Reagan and the New County Center of the National Association of Counties. She also worked in the Office of Policy Development and Research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, she earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, which had a satellite school located in Washington, DC. During their time in Washington, the couple first lived in the Dupont Circle area, moved to an apartment in Van Ness and finally to a house in Barnaby Woods, all located within the D.C. area. In 1987, the family moved to Philadelphia, PA. Upon arrival in the Philadelphia area, the family settled in Haverford, PA. Florence was first involved as a project manager of a project to explore the feasibility of a new museum in the Philadelphia area, funded by the PEW Charitable Trust. This was to become The National Constitution Center. Florence was also involved in the Development of the new Wilma Theater, which was then located on Samson Street in Philadelphia. Working closely with the Theater’s Board of Directors and the Artistic Directors, Florence was instrumental in completing a $5M campaign to build a new home for the theater on Broad Street, where it resides today. The work at The Wilma Theater was Florence’s first experience as Director of Development and a Capital Campaign, but it would not be the last. She found that she could develop prospects, ask them for money and be successful. She would broaden this experience by working with colleagues and clients to develop these same skills. In 1993 she joined the Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital organization as Associate Vice President for Development. While at Jefferson, Florence successfully completed a large capital campaign and was instrumental in obtaining several large gifts for Jefferson. In 2000, she joined the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) as Vice President of Alumni Relations and Development. In addition, she was a member of the Senior Management Team at PCOM. While at PCOM. She developed a new fundraising plan for the college’s two campuses and five healthcare centers, managed alumni relationships with nine graduate programs and managed a staff of eleven. She provided leadership at a time when the College’s fundraising model had to change as PCOM had recently sold its hospital. Florence retired from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in 2012. Florence is survived by her husband, Stephen, her son and daughter-in law, Devin and Robyn, two grandchildren, Quinlan and Presley and her brothers Brian and Gary Driscoll. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 21 at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church at 1pm. Donations in her name may be made to The Wilma Theater.

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Florence M. Zeller

December 12, 1946 - July 15, 2023