Florence “Flo” May (nee Arbuthnot) Rhodes, 90, of Grosse Pointe, Mich., and longtime resident of Whitewater, Wis., died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at her home and surrounded by family, having celebrated her birthday nearly three weeks before. Her passing followed the loss of her husband of 62 years, Benjamin Rhodes, earlier this year. Born Nov. 6, 1934, in Janesville, Wis., Flo was the third of four children of George and Irene (nee VanDreser) Arbuthnot. Her parents owned Arbuthnot Dairy in Janesville, Wis.

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative literature in 1957, and moved to Denver, where she taught middle school. Flo joined the Colorado Mountain Club, where she met her future husband, Ben, an avid skier and mountaineer. They married in 1961, and together raised three children and experienced much of the world through travel. Flo was an avid gardener, an excellent chef and baker, a seamstress and a woodworker, but perhaps most remarkable as an expert knitter. Those who were fortunate enough to receive a gift of a personalized sweater or hat could feel the love and care that went into every stitch. She provided a beautifully perfect home for her family, always putting them first.

Flo is survived by her sons, John Rhodes of Seattle and Philip Rhodes of Grosse Pointe; daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Rhodes DeMaine (Robert) of Los Angeles; and grandchildren, Paul and Annette “Annie” DeMaine, both of Los Angeles. She also is survived by her brother, Paul Arbuthnot of Lake Oswego, Ore.; sister, Mary Zirbel (nee Arbuthnot) of Wauwatosa, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Benjamin; and brother, John Arbuthnot of Scotts Mills, Ore. As Flo wished, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Colorado Mountain Club, cmc.org/donate, League of Women Voters, bit.ly/4i8H7Ho, or Detroit Symphony Orchestra, tickets.dso.org/support/donate.