Just Because! Woman Sells Flowers To Continue 'Tradition' Started By Late Husband Of 30 Years

A Missouri widow has continued a cherished tradition with her late husband of over 30 years through a modest flower store in a moving story of love and loyalty. Despite her loss, she has found comfort and meaning in continuing their common passion for giving joy through flowers.

Cierlita McGee is a Missouri resident. The 78-year-old has spent her life committed to helping others.

She's taught English to people who want to immigrate to the United States from other countries, assisted disabled adults in their homes, and, most recently, lay on the living room floor behind her husband, doing air-bicycle movements to keep his blood pumping.

McGee now runs a flower stand named "Just Because" in a Springfield parking lot, seeking to brighten the day of those who pass by, all in memory of her late husband, George.

McGee may be under her bright red umbrella from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Saturday. Among the many species available at McGee are roses, carnations, orchids, and lilies. Customers can purchase one or a big bouquet for $5-20. From 1 pm-4 pm. on Sunday, McGee will set up her stand in the Phillips 66 parking lot. She takes both cash and checks.

Love In Full Bloom: A Missouri Widow's Tribute Through A Flower Stand

Credits: Nathan Papes/Springfield News - Leader

McGee started her flower stand on July 1 to honour George who she said pampered her with presents throughout their 31-year marriage. George died on March 4, 2022, at the age of 71.

"Every time he came home from work, he'd say, 'Honey, I have a surprise for you.'" "It could be a rose stem, a bar of chocolate, or a $1 scratch ticket," McGee explained. "I'd jump up and down." He continuously told me, 'It's just because,' so I named my company Just Because..."

McGee pays a visit to George's grave at the Missouri Veteran Cemetery every morning before opening the flower business. George served in both the Army and the Marine Corps.

Cierlita and George met in Hawaii in the 1980s. Cierlita was working as a residential counsellor with three challenged persons at the time, and George was the maintenance coordinator for the unit Cierlita worked and lived in. When Cierlita put in a maintenance request for her unit, George came to mend it. "After that, he would come every day and ask, 'Ms. Cierli, is there anything you need?'" "I didn't need anything, but he kept coming," Cierlita laughed.

She is originally from the Philippines and immigrated to the United States to further her education. She was unfamiliar with Hawaii, so George offered to give her a tour. Love blossomed quickly, according to Cierlita. George quit his job as the maintenance coordinator and relocated to Chicago before they could make things official, but not before giving Cierlita his phone number.

Credits: Nathan Papes/Springfield News - Leader

She worked as a high school and college teacher in the Philippines before relocating to the United States. She has a bachelor's degree in business. Cierlita also taught English as a second language to newly arrived refugees.

Cierlita went to Springfield shortly after George left Hawaii to pursue her master's degree in special education at Missouri State University. When she arrived, she called George, who had relocated to Springfield, to be with her. They married in 1990.

Credits: Nathan Papes/Springfield News - Leader

She had a full-time job besides attending school while George drove a truck. Cierlita admitted that she didn't own her textbooks due to a lack of finances. Instead, while they were both off from work, George assisted her in making copies of books at the library so that she could study and finish her thesis. Cierlita worked as a Missouri Department of Mental Health case manager after graduating from Missouri State.

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