Florence G. Riedel, 103, Was Active in the Church

Florence G. (Dyer) Riedel, 103, a resident of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, died on Oct. 1.

Mrs. Riedel was born in Medford on Jan. 19, 1899. She was the daughter of Frank E. Dyer and Emma Stowers Dyer. She was graduated from Medford High School in 1916 and went to work at the John Hancock Insurance Co.

Following her marriage to the late Walter B. Riedel, also of Medford, they moved to Melrose where they lived for many years. Mr. Riedel was a banker and associated with the First National Bank of Boston for almost 40 years. He was an ardent canoeist and was treasurer of the old Newton Boat Club for many years. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, the Philathea Class, the Melrose Highlands Women's Club and active in Girl Scout work.

After her husband's death, she was employed as an account clerk in the Melrose City Hall. Upon retirement she lived in Boynton Beach, Fla., and in 1972 came to Martha's Vineyard where she lived in the Havenside Apartments in Vineyard Haven. On the Island she was a member of the First Baptist Church and active in the United Methodist Women. She was active in senior citizens groups, often giving book reviews for which she was well known. She belonged to the Neighborhood Convention and served as the organization's treasurer for five years. She was also a member of the Acanthus Literary Club and the Library League.

Her ancestry goes back to the Mayflower, and she was very proud of her New England heritage.

She leaves a daughter, Janice Manter of West Tisbury; five grandchildren, Whitten, Jeffrey, and Melissa of West Tisbury, Kimberly of Chilmark and Jennifer of Littleton, Colo.; three great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Joshua and Jonathan Rich of Chilmark; a nephew, Don Newton of Leesburg, Fla., and several grandnieces and grandnephews and friends.

Interment will be in the Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the First Baptist Church, Vineyard Haven. Memorial donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven, P.O. Box 2787, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.