2019 FloresC_MarbledOne of this year’s Meritorious Service awards was presented posthumously during the Thursday, June 4, Congress Xstream. Colleen Flores, CPP, of Rahway, New Jersey, died April 7 at age 56 after a battle with cancer.

“Colleen’s bubbly personality, eagerness to share her wealth of payroll knowledge, and beautiful smile will forever be missed,” the board of the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the APA wrote in tribute to their friend and colleague.

Flores was a New York native who worked in payroll for 30 years and was a familiar presence at New York, New Jersey, and national APA gatherings.

She was well-known to payroll professionals in the area for her 2015 National Payroll Week® presentation “Let’s Play Nice: Human Resources and Payroll Communications.”

She served the APA as a volunteer on the Emerging Technologies Subcommittee of the Strategic Payroll Leadership Task Force (SPLTF), Hotline Referral Service, National Speakers Bureau, Chapter Recognition Committee, and the Education Grant Committee.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Flores; a son, Christopher Flores; a daughter, Melissa Garofalo and Melissa’s husband, David.

“Colleen had a joyous, enthusiastic and sweet personality,” the NY Metro board wrote. “She enjoyed life with her family and friends. She loved her annual summer vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains, upstate N.Y., especially Indian Lake, a very special place for Colleen.”