Viral Obituary: Maine Woman’s Daughter Publicly Calls Out Late Mother’s Toxic Legacy
3 min read
Christina Novak/Facebook
In a rare and striking turn of events, a scathing obituary penned by a daughter about her late mother has taken the internet by storm. Christina Novak, the daughter of the late Florence “Flo” Harrelson, posted an unapologetically harsh obituary in a Maine newspaper, which has since gone viral on social media. Harrelson, a former corrections officer, passed away on February 22, 2024, at the age of 65. However, Novak only discovered her mother’s death six months later on August 23.
The short yet blunt obituary, published in the Kennebec Journal, accuses Florence of leaving behind a trail of emotional wreckage, with Novak describing her mother as abusive and controlling. In the brief four-sentence tribute, Novak does not mince words, making it clear that her mother’s death was no family tragedy but rather the final chapter in what was an already damaged relationship.
The obituary reads:
“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. 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.”
Daughter writes scathing obituary for ‘terrorizing’ mom: ‘Ding dong, the witch is dead’ https://t.co/VCYOvNneJA pic.twitter.com/nh1pYqAVXS
— New York Post (@nypost) August 31, 2024
In an interview with the Bangor Daily News, Novak explained that she only learned of her mother’s passing in August, when a casual conversation with a friend made her realize something was amiss. The friend mentioned that things had been “too quiet lately,” prompting Novak to search online for any news about her mother. Shockingly, she stumbled across a death notice from a crematorium.
After confirming the news with her aunt, who was her mother’s identical twin, Novak decided to write the obituary as a final commentary on her mother’s life. She also sought her aunt’s approval of the notice, and the only change suggested was a minor typo correction.
Novak shared more personal details with PEOPLE, revealing that her mother seemed to take pleasure in causing misery, especially around significant holidays. “She took sport in ruining every birthday and Christmas,” Novak said, giving a glimpse into the toxic dynamic that strained their relationship.
The obituary quickly gained traction on social media, sparking widespread reactions. While some people expressed surprise at the candidness, others praised Novak for her honesty, emphasizing how challenging it can be to speak out about family trauma, even in death.
Harrelson’s story, marked by her work as a Maine State Prison corrections officer and her eventual battle with cancer, was ultimately overshadowed by the fractured relationships she left behind. While Florence’s obituary was unconventional, it has served as a public expression of a daughter’s attempt to finally find closure after years of emotional torment.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
