Obituaries : Florence M. Kacic; Retired Proofreader

Florence M. Kacic, a Ventura resident who worked as a proofreader for 19 years at the Ventura Star-Free Press, died Monday. She was 85.

She was born Nov. 2, 1912, in Akron, Ohio. When she was 30, she married John Kacic, and the couple moved to Ventura.

John Kacic, who worked with explosives, helped build the Ridge Route between Ventura and Bakersfield and was part of the crew that constructed the Rincon portion of Pacific Coast Highway.

Florence Kacic worked for a company that printed dance records, then took a position at the Star-Free Press as a proofreader in 1962. She retired in 1981.

“Julius Gius, the editor at the time, insisted, even after they went over to computers, that Flo read over his columns,” John Kacic said. “It was supposed to be a part-time job, but I don’t think she took a day off in 19 years.”

The couple raised two children.

“To me, she was a queen,” Kacic said. “When you’re married for 55 years, there’s nothing wrong with the woman. There may be a thing or two wrong with the man, but Flo was wonderful.”

The couple often went to Las Vegas and Reno, John Kacic said.

“She had 15 jackpots on the poker machines in Vegas,” he said. “I’d say she had very good luck.”

In addition to her husband, Florence Kacic is survived by daughters Ann Kacic-Bryant of Santa Barbara and Toni Marie Posey of Las Vegas; sister Marge Risor of Upper Lake, Calif.; brother Richard Allen of Ashland, Ohio; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.

Memorial donations may be made to Elks Charities, c/o Ventura Elks Lodge, 11 S. Ash St., Ventura 93001.