It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Florence Meola on March 25, 2015. Born in Newark New Jersey, Florence grew up in Newark, married and with her husband Philip, lived in Belleville for 36 years. They moved to Long Branch, NJ where they spent their retirement.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lena and Rocco Rosania; her loving husband of 56 years Philip Meola, her sister Columbia Petrole, her brother Ralph Rosania and her beloved son in law Anthony “Chubby” Chiafullo.
She is survived by her sister Lucille Trotta and brother-in-law John Ciccone. Her immediate surviving family members are her loving daughters, Etta Chiafullo, Phyllis Meola and her husband Joseph, Eileen Rolleri and her husband Paul, Deborah Perri and her husband John. Other family members close to Florence’s heart are her granddaughters Gina Chiafullo and her partner Donna, Lisa Takach and her husband Joseph, Dana Meola, Jodi Little and her husband Scott, Marla Rolleri and her husband Sal Volpe, grandsons Anthony Chiafullo and his partner Adam Gindi and Philip Rolleri. Florence was also blessed with six great grandchildren, Amanda and Melissa Link, Tanner and Maci Little, and Frances and Zachary Gindi-Chiafullo. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Florence will always be remembered for her unconditional love for her family and for her smile. She was truly the matriarch of her family. Her love for poker and Atlantic City was apparent to all who knew her. She celebrated her 98th birthday in AC at a poker table. Florence often told people of her big win in AC many years ago with a three card royal flush.
While raising her family, Florence worked in factories such as Tung Sol, General Instrument, and ETAMCO, where she was proud to be a shop steward. She worked hard along with Phil to provide for their family on a daily basis, to vacation with them, and to give them a better life.
Florence enjoyed doing everything with her children and their children, spending almost every evening at Tony’s Family Restaurant with Etta, Chubby and the rest of the Tony’s Family, spending time with Phyllis and Joseph at their house and the many family excursions that they shared with her, and the many family holidays at Eileen and Paul’s. She will be greatly missed by daughter Debbie and her husband John, with whom she lived and shared many delightful memories. Florence’s love made a difference in everyone’s life. She lived her life well by loving and being loved.
The family is forever grateful to Florence’s caretakers, Barbara Lovelace and Sweetie Hutchinson.
Rleatives and friends are invited to visit on Sunday from 1-5 pm at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road in Oakhurst. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 am at Holy Trinity Church in Long Branch. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, a cause Florence donated to yearly. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.