Bayside – Tina Patricia Flores, age 74, passed away on January 24, 2023. She was born on March 17, 1948, to Alice and Tony Flores, Sr. in Mason City, Iowa.
Her parents took her and her brothers on many adventures, especially water skiing on Clear Lake and attending their dad’s orchestra dances. As the only girl, she enjoyed being spoiled and bossing around her brothers.
Tina attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Grade School, Class of 1962. She was an avid Girl Scout and was proud to have been awarded the Catholic Girl Scouts Marian Award in recognition of her unselfish service to others. She attended and graduated from Newman Catholic High School, Class of 1966. She lettered in tennis and it became one of her lifelong hobbies.
Tina’s family moved to Dubuque, Iowa where she attended college. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Clarke University in 1970 and her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Loras College in 1975. Her catholic education nurtured her generous, kind and caring heart. Tina loved being around people, and they gravitated toward her welcoming smile and positive personality.
Tina’s career brought her to southeastern Wisconsin where she met the love of her life, Jane Novak. During their 42 years together, they enjoyed dancing, going to musicals, traveling near and far, playing doubles tennis, golfing, beach vacations, spending time with friends and attending many family gatherings. They were married on August 22, 2015 in their backyard surrounded by family and friends.
Most of her professional career was spent as a counselor at Gateway Technical College in Racine and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). It brought her great joy to help her students work through challenges and find their best career path. She was honored that her cherished Gabriela is following in her counseling footsteps. Tina met many wonderful colleagues at MATC; and Wilma, Theresa and Karen became her forever friends.
When she retired from MATC in 2011, Tina enjoyed spending her time volunteering with friends. She especially enjoyed tutoring at Norte Dame Middle School with Karen, handing out Hunger Task Force stock boxes with Kathy, making sandwiches for the Open Door Café with Karen, Jean and Suellen, and assisting Jeri at the Community Advocates Bottomless Closet.
Tina loved reading and enjoyed her monthly book club with her dear friends Karen, Barb, Sue, Shirley and Karen. She was in the book club for over 30 years, adding to their lively book discussions and supporting them through life’s ups and downs.
Tina had many adventures with her lifelong friends Chris and Collen. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, scuba diving and her weekly FaceTime calls with Chris who finished each call by telling a joke. Tina also enjoyed her frequent FaceTime calls with Colleen, just talking and laughing, and reminiscing of their younger days running and traveling together.
Over the years, Tina created a community of friends she called the Bayside Country Club. She organized weekly Friday night cook outs during the summer, the 4th of July picnic and the New Year’s Eve brunch. She always made sure that their birthdays and life events were celebrated. There were movie nights, talent shows and trivial pursuit games.
Tina’s other joys in life were listening to music, water aerobics, new technology gadgets, floating in her backyard pool and anything yellow!
Tina is survived by her loving wife Jane and her brothers Gerry (Estela), Tony, Jr. (Patty), Bob (Roxanne) and Anthony (Veronica). She is also survived by her nieces Molly and Alicia; nephews Joe, Gerry, Tony III, and Julian; and her great nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her much loved in-laws, her cherished Gabriela and many, many friends. Tina was preceded in death by her parents and her nephew Rob.
Visitation on Thursday, February 2 at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home in Mequon from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tina’s memory to Notre Dame Middle School or House of Peace.
A special thank you to Kristin Miller, PA for her compassionate care and kindness through the years.
