Flora F. (Cirillo) DiSabatino passed away in her home on August 4th, at the age of 96. She was known for her devotion to her family, strong work ethic, and her desire to feed anyone who came within 3 yards of her home.
Flora was born November 22, 1922 one of 6 children to Mary Salerno and Raymond Cirillo. Growing up in East Boston during the great depression, times taught Flora to be tough. Her family faced the hardship of the era and it taught them to be fierce and to cleave to each other. The experiences of the period gave her the devotion to family for which she was so well known.
As a child of the depression, Flora understood the value of hard work and independence. She pursued her education beyond that which was expected of a woman in that time and trained to be a secretary. She continued to work even after her marriage, long before it was fashionable to do so. She worked for many private businesses and later for Everett School system at both the Parlin School and the Everett High School. Later, she worked at the Office of Veterans Affairs at Everett City Hall. Even after retirement, she worked as a teacher's aide.
Fiercely patriotic, she took her duty to her country seriously and served in the Coast Guard during World War 2. She and her unit patrolled Boston Harbor and on the shooting range, Flora proved to be an excellent shot. She earned a certification in marksmanship and both her daughter and granddaughter inherited her talent.
Flora’s life changed forever one night at a community dance. A man named Charles DiSabatino saw her standing across the room in her gray dress and asked her to dance. Though somewhat alarmed by his boldness, she never the less took his hand. She held that hand for the next seventy five years, marrying him at the age of 20 and only being parted from him by his death, just four months prior to hers.
Flora’s brother Anthony and her sister Emma were born with a rare disability, causing them to require care all their lives. While Flora’s entire family initially cared for them together, the task fell more and more to her as her other sisters passed or moved away. She loved and cared for her brother and sister all their lives and ensured that they had safe and comfortable living arrangements as well as access to the medical care they needed.
Similarly, as her own mother grew older, her care fell to Flora. Flora never saw this as a burden, but rather as a time to deepen and reinforce the strong bond that she shared with her mother. Her love and care proved to be an excellent support because her mother lived in her own home until she passed at the age of 101.
Flora and her husband were very social people. They were avid square dancers and many Everett social clubs could count Flora and Charlie as their regulars. She loved to feed her friends and family, and between her and her husband, everyone left her home stuffed.
Flora is survived by her 3 loving children: Charles A. DiSabatino Jr., MD. and his wife Nancy Olson, MD of Hamden, CT, Michael DiSabatino, Esq. of Everett and Susan Fox, RN and her husband Patrick of Granby, CT. Proud grandmother of two children: Kathleen and Brendan Fox. Sister of the late Anthony Cirillo, Rosalie Santoro, Virginia Hohenstein, Emma Cirillo and Irene Zuckerman. Also, survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral from the Salvatore Rocco and Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main St., Everett, on Friday, August 9th at 9AM. Funeral Mass at St. Anthony Church, Everett at 10AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours are Thursday only 4-8PM. Complimentary valet parking Thursday at Main St. entrance. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Flora and Charlie DiSabatino were the rock of their family. Their three children are proud to credit the support of their parents as the foundation on which they built their accomplishments.
“There were no strangers at their table,
They’d give you all they had to give.
Met with kindness, offered comfort,
Theirs was a life well lived.”
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