DEUTSCH, Leah Florence

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from January 20 to January 27, 2013 - Leah Florence Deutsch, age 74, an 8-year resident of Bullhead City, Ariz. lost her battle with cancer on Friday, December 14, 2012 and passed through this life to join her mother, father and youngest brother, Randy Martin Smith. "We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It has broken our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again." (The Broken Chain) She was born Leah Florence Smith on June 16, 1938 to Vester and Nellie Smith in Winfield, Ala. Florence was their second of four children. Florence's family relocated to Oxnard, Calif. in 1947 where she grew up on Silver Stand Beach. Florence attended Oxnard High School and married her high school sweetheart, Ken Gorenflo. The two were married in 1956, for 24 years, and had three children: Debbie, Bob and Sheri. Florence was a very giving and compassionate person. Florence was a homemaker and enjoyed a long career as a bookkeeper. She worked for Ferro Family Properties, Saticoy Berry, for over 30 years, retiring in 2004. She also worked for H&R Block as a seasonal tax preparer for 8 years in Ventura, Calif., and then continued with H&R Block for another 7 years after retiring and moving to Bullhead City. She was affectionately called working "Nana" by her five grandchildren before retiring at 72 years of age. In 1984 Florence met and married Bob Deutsch and they remained together for 20 years until his passing in 2009. She enjoyed family gatherings with his four children and the grandchildren, and loved them as if they were her own. She enjoyed traveling and never missed an opportunity to see something new. She had an active community social life in both Oxnard and Bullhead City, as a member of the Eagles Club in Oxnard, and the Senior Circle in Bullhead City. She enjoyed sewing, soap making, cooking, hot air balloons, tacos, playing bingo, and she was very lucky in the bingo parlor! She loved her most precious pup-dog, Spencer, and he loved and watched over her. Florence is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Nunez and Sheri (Dave) Wilhelm; son, Bob Gorenflo; brother, Dexter Martin Smith, of Winfield, Ala.; sister, Helen Martin Smith of Santa Clarita, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Racine, Joey, Nicole, Davy, and Kenny. Services will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the clubhouse at The Reserve at Fox Creek, Bullhead City, Ariz. We would be honored for you to join us as we celebrate the life of Leah Florence Smith.