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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Florence Hart Spokane

Florence I. Hart is celebrating her 102nd birthday today. She was born June 27, 1898, in Los Angeles.

She met her husband, Harold “Bill” Preston, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where she was working and he was attending dental school. They were married in 1923 after a three-date courtship and lived in L.A. until her husband retired from his dental practice. They moved to Grass Valley, Calif., where they lived until her husband’s death. Mrs. Hart then moved to Spokane, where she has lived for 11 years.

She attributes her longevity to a shot of whiskey and a cigar, she says kiddingly. She has always been active, and enjoys working in her garden, making doll clothes, and still goes for a daily mile-long walk in nice weather.

One son, Ted Hart, died in 1969. Her other son, Russell Hart, lives in Chattaroy. She has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.