Florence Mae Fitzgerald was born on April 1, 1934 in Hebron, Indiana. She was the seventh of fifteen children born to Vondall Euart Fitzgerald and Jennie Mae Fisher.

Florence was given her middle name from her mother, Jennie Mae. Florence gave her only daughter Colleen Mae that name as well. Later, her son Douglass continued the tradition naming his first daughter Kathleen Mae. Kathleen then named her last child Rachel Mae to keep the name in the family.

Her siblings are: Kenneth Euart, Leonard Harold, Dorothy Louise, Donald Morris, Lewis Victor, Katherine Alice, Richard Delos, Robert William, Delmar James, David Lee, Charles Larry, Roy Allan, Thomas Dean, and Bruce Dale.

Florence married Duane Lyal Cole on January 20, 1951 in Valparaiso, Indiana. The couple had four children: Douglass Lyal, Keith Duane, Bret Alan, and Colleen Mae.

Florence currently lives in Valparaiso, Indiana.

She enjoys leading her local Red Hat club, playing computer games, collecting beanie babies, spending time with her family and traveling.