My mother Florence lived 93 years and most people would agree she lived a wonderful, full life.  The most significant part of her life is not her birth in 1921 or her death in 2015 but it the DASH that came between the two dates.  Her DASH was amazing.

Even as her final years approached, she never once considered herself old.

She was 93 years young and enjoyed life to its fullest until her body wouldn’t keep up with her amazing mind.

My mother had a long and good life and was loved for a million different reasons. 

She made people happy being with her.

She was young at heart and savored all that life brought her way….but; she ALSO brought life to all that came her way.

Many of you traveled with her on her 93 year journey through all the joys and sorrows. 

For just a few moments, I want to reflect on some of the very beautiful times in her life and the people who helped make it special for her.

But before we celebrate her life, my brother and I want to thank our spouses who loved our mom as their own. 

We are so appreciative for, my husband John and my sister-in-law Rita.

You both were extremely supportive during all of her life and the final stage of her life. 

Your hard work and care was instrumental in making her end of life as beautiful as possible for her.

Thank you for everything you did.

She was more than just your mother-in-law – you treated her as if she was your mother so we both thank you.

Now back to my Mother….

Florence shared in the lives of her five talented, amazing grandchildren and their spouses,
Joseph & Lynne, John and Lanie, Lucille and Joe, Jennifer,

Chris and Jenny.

Collectively and individually you have been a constant source of love and affection throughout the years.
You not only honored her, you enjoyed her company. 

She amazed you and made you laugh no matter what antics came from her.

She has six great-grandchildren who not only respected her, but also enjoyed their vibrant great-grandmom.

Zachary, Jonathan, Joseph, Gianna, Mia & John… she adored you, loved your personalities, and was awed by you talents.  

The six of you are very special young people who truly were the silver lining in her life!

Her tales were endless - from spotting a Police helicopter hovering over her home one night. 

She quickly retrieved her flashlight and went out back and began signaling the Police Helicopter back.  This resulted in a spotlight from the helicopter shining down with a bull horn telling her to get back in your house.

There should have been a note on her door.  REPAIR PERSONS BEWARE:

When they would arrive to fix something inside her home they would never escape just doing the job they were dispatched to do. No, she made sure they provided additional services which might include changing a lightbulb, repairing a broken appliance, adjusting a doorknob or even flipping her mattress.

She maximized a service call to the fullest extend and more.

Her two living sisters and one brother were in communication with her to the very end.
Not a day went by without a phone call from Gloria with a joyful "Ciao Bella".

She would talk endlessly to Rosie about their beloved Phillies and would smile ear to ear when her brother Tony called to say hello.

There are countless nieces and nephews who were always calling and visiting with good wishes. 

Her niece Connie was very helpful in getting her back on her feet after a hospitalization a few years ago. 

The plan was for Connie to come & help her around the house to make sure she was okay during the day,

but my mother had a different idea.  She wanted to go shopping, get her nails done as well as going to local eateries. 

Connie was her companion and off they would go. 

She enjoyed several more years back in her home as a result of Connie’s love – Thank you.

I would be remiss without mentioning her dear friends Joanne and Norma. Norma your visits, phone calls and dancing made her so happy….

And Dear Joanne you came every night to my mom’s house to share dinner, play cards, watch movies or watch the Phillies game.

Joanne you made her last years wonderful and our family is so thankful for the love you gave her.

Speaking of the Phillies – they were her team and she knew the players by heart.

It was Game 5 of the World Series on October 27, 2008 and my husband and I purchased 3 tickets and brought her to the game in the pouring rain in a wheelchair. 

It was cold and wet and when I asked her if she wanted to go home she said "this is the World Series, no one leaves the World Series early".  So we stayed and the game was called.

Cold and tired, John and I opted out of the rescheduled game and forfeited our tickets to my daughter and son. They took their Grandmother to the last 3 innings of Game 5 two days later….and they won! 

My mother donned herself proudly in a new Phillies jacket and cheered them to victory. 

She was 87 years old years old and may have been the oldest fan to see the Phillies win the World Series in person.

As my children wheeled her out of the Stadium and the South Philly residents rushed into the stadium, she put both arms in the air and proceeded to give out thousands of high fives from her wheelchair. 

My mother had a good life starting with the love of her life my Dad (Joe).  They Went to Europe in 1963 and visited Germany, Switzerland, France and her beloved Italy.

She traveled to Florida, Mexico, California and Hawaii.

She went on numerous cruises to various ports with her second love, Joe Davi.  After Joe had a massive stroke my mother took care of him for 9 years. 

Her devotion and commitment to caring for him gave him the comfort to remain in his home in New Jersey until he died.

After his death, she returned to her own home in South Philadelphia and soon reunited herself with old & new friends and neighbors.

She drove her little yellow car around South Philadelphia and would seldom miss her weekly hair appointments with hairdresser, and friend, Joe --- notice how many Joe’s were in her life.

My mother lived a good, full, comfortable life that was a blend of family and friends.  There were sad times but for the most part her life was good.

I guess my brother and I can say…She didn't make demands…well, she didn’t make TOO many demands…but my brother and I knew what she expected and we tried our very best in all ways to make her life good.

As you all know, Florence was a lady who brought life to everyone and had a zest for living that was unmatched.

She was her happiest in her home on Daly Street where she started 74 years ago as a 20 year old newlywed.

She had hoped to live her remaining years there but…Her health began to fail and her time home got shorter and her hospital visits got longer - until the day came when she couldn’t go back.

In her last days, she was visited by so many family members and friends her dear friend Grace who is here with us today and 103 years old.

Every one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited her and gave her comfort, love and unlimited chocolate milkshakes.

One of the last things she said to me was, “What can I say? I love you.”

So Mom, what can I say to you but that I love you too.

We are here today to say our final goodbyes to an amazing, inquisitive, resourceful, caring and active person. 

You touched all our lives more than you will ever know ….and in more ways that we will come to know.

I feel your presence with us today and know that you will never be too far away. 

You are here within each of us and that is such a blessing.

May you rest in peace until we meet again.

MOM, I LOVE YOU!