Florence Helen “Buddy” Yanny, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2025, at Aurora Burlington Medical Center, after a brief illness. Born in Milwaukee on July 28, 1929, she was the daughter of John P. and Florence H. (nee Brehm) Gaffney. On June 23, 1956, she married David Bernard Yanny at Christ King Church in Milwaukee. They lived in Milwaukee for three years before moving to Burlington, where they raised six children.
Florence attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School and graduated from Holy Angels Academy in Milwaukee. In 1949, she taught a second grade class of 60 students at St. Thomas Aquinas. She went on to employment experiences at Northwestern Railroad, Fellenz Coal and Dock Company, and the telephone company in Milwaukee. In 1950, she traveled by train to California to live with her grandparents John and Mathilda (Tillie) Brehm, during which time she worked at Sears. Florence loved California, made lifelong friends with her cousins there, and had many memorable and fun experiences. After her return to Milwaukee, she was involved in volunteer work at the Cardijn Bookstore writing to disabled servicemen, which led to her acquaintance and subsequent romance with David Yanny. The rest is history.
In Burlington, Florence was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish. She was involved in Scouting and the original senior citizens group at St. Mary’s. In service to the Burlington community, she helped establish Love, Inc., along with volunteers from other churches. She served as a part-time secretary at St. Mary’s for 20 years.
Intensely devoted to service her entire life, Florence was involved in and helped organize a caregivers support group at St. Mary’s. In addition to raising her children with love and affection, she provided end-of-life care for her mother, mother-in-law, and husband. She was always there for people in their time of need or illness.
Keenly artistic, collaborative, and inquisitive, Florence loved quilting, scrapbooking, reading, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and playing cards and board games. She was happiest spending time with her children and grandchildren, and engaging in hand-written correspondence with beloved friends and relatives in her impeccable cursive. Not least of all, she loved her cats, especially Val, her devoted companion.
Florence is survived by her children, Kathy Yanny of Burlington, John (Lynda) Yanny of Wauwatosa, Kevin (Vicki) Yanny of New Berlin, Susan Yanny of Burlington, Matt (Lisa) Yanny-Tillar of Chicago, and Laurie Yanny of Milwaukee; and grandchildren Megan (Douglas Adams) and Emily Yanny, Sara (Sultan Kamchibekov), Chloe (Winston Berg) and Sophie Yanny-Tillar, and David and Grace Yanny.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and sisters Patricia Pergoli and Colleen Madaris.
The family thanks the caregivers at Aurora Burlington Medical Center and Aurora Home Hospice.
Donations in memory of Florence may be made to Love, Inc., or an animal shelter of your choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Florence on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 108 McHenry St., Burlington. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. until Noon at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home. Following the Mass, all are invited to a luncheon in Heim Hall, located in the church basement. A private inurnment ceremony at St. Mary Cemetery will be held at a future date to be determined.
Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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