An obituary of a Maine woman, penned by her daughter who claimed she “terrorized” people, has gone viral. While some believe the obituary was brutally honest, others slammed it as “distasteful.”
Florence “Flo” Harrelson, 65, died in February, but her obituary was published by the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel only this week because her daughter, Christina Novak, wrote it after hearing about her death just this month. “Florence “Flo” Harrelson, 65, formerly of Chelsea, died on Feb. 22, 2024, without family by her side due to burnt bridges and a wake of destruction left in her path,” Novak wrote in the picture-less obituary.
“Florence did not want an obituary or anyone including family to know she died. That’s because even in death, she wanted those she terrorized to still be living in fear looking over their shoulders. So, this isn’t so much an obituary but more of a public service announcement,” she added.
Novak said that Harrelson was a former US Marine who served as a Maine prison guard, according to New York Post. She had cancer but she died from heart failure. Novak and her mother last spoke to each other 10 years ago.
While a few people seemed to appreciate Novak for the “truthfulness” of the obituary, others thought it was not appropriate. “Sounds very truthful to me. And well worded,” one user commented on the obituary. “Absolutely legend, whoever posted this. As someone who had a godawful abusive parent, I would have loved to see this kind of announcement in the paper after he finally kicked it,” another said.
“Very inappropriate and distasteful,” one user wrote, while another said, “Am I the only one who believes this “obit” is inappropriate?”
One user posted “another version of the obituary,” noting that they did not know “exactly what the true story is.” The user wrote, “We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a beloved member of our community, Flo Harrelson. Known for her warm smile and kind heart, Flo was a pillar of strength and support for many in Maine. While details surrounding her death are still unclear, the outpouring of love and condolences from those who knew her best is a testament to the impact she had on so many lives. Flo’s reluctance to have an obituary or death notice speaks volumes about the humble and selfless person she was. She never sought recognition or praise for her good deeds, always putting others before herself. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and the memories she created with her loved ones.”
Join Girl Scouts of Maine for a sweet summer stop you won’t want to miss!
We’re popping up at local ice cream shops around Maine for our Ice Cream Socials—fun, casual events where families can enjoy a free treat and learn more about Girl Scouts.
Here’s what to expect:
🍦 One FREE kid-sized cone per family when you stop by and connect with us
🌱 Hands-on activity for kids (like a planting activity or fidget spinner craft)
💬 A chance to chat with our team and learn how Girl Scouts builds confidence, friendships, and unforgettable experiences
Whether you’re curious about joining, looking for activities for your child, or just want to enjoy a sweet treat, we’d love to meet you!
✨ Open to all families—no registration required. Just stop by, say hello, and enjoy some ice cream with us.
The Saco Scoop
05:30 PM – 07:30 PM on Tue, 14 Jul 2026
The recent rain in Maine is easing the drought that parts of the state have been experiencing since the fall.
Scott Dean, a Spectrum meteorologist, said much of Maine has been at least “dry” for several months. Parts of the state, including Portland, Bangor and Bar Harbor, are under a “moderate” drought.
Much of the country is also experiencing a drought, Dean added. The Southeast is seeing extreme levels of drought, and the West coast has been under a drought for years. There are many factors that go into this, including climate change, weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña and other factors.
And, when an area does experience drought, it can become a feedback loop. With less moisture in the ground and atmosphere, the drought can “feed upon itself,” Dean said.
“It takes a while to get into a drought and it also takes a while to get out of one,” Dean said.
But, the rainy days in Maine have been alleviating the drought, Dean said. And, the trend is likely to continue — the forecast is predicting above average levels of precipitation for the next three to four weeks.
“Hopefully, we are continuing to head in the right direction as the drought has eased in these areas,” Dean said.
In fact, if these rains do continue, Maine could come out of the drought sometime this summer.
Craig Joseph Ahlemeyer
STANDISH – Craig J. Ahlemeyer, 48 of Standish, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, June 13, 2026.A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 27 th at Standish Congregational Church, 25 Oak Hill Road in Standish. A reception will follow.To see Craig’s full obituary, share a memory or leave the family an online condolence, please visit http://www.athutchins.com.
Clippers pick Illinois All-American Keaton Wagler at No. 5 overall
What Teams Could Be Good NBA Draft Trade Partners For Indiana Pacers?
Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson selected 28th in 2026 NBA Draft
Jac Caglianone make puny ball go very far in Royals win
Top knee doctor confident Jayden Quaintance’s injury not a long-term concern, but clean-up procedure possible
Congress authorizes more than $16M for 11 projects in Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas
Saco | Ice Cream Social with Girl Scouts of Maine
Maryland congressional incumbents cruise to primary wins
