Florine (Flo) L. Melillo DePaola, 89, of North Haven passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2024, at St. Raphael’s Hospital surrounded by her loved ones.
Florine was born in New Haven on August 30, 1934, and was the daughter of late Floyd Melillo and Carmela Fiorillo Melillo.
Florine was a homemaker that dedicated her life to her family. She was an amazing wife to her lifelong partner, Vincent. Florine was a nurturing mother, who raised five loving children. She was her family’s anchor. Her home was open to everyone; it was a safe space for friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers. Florine hosted many memorable pool parties for her kids and unforgettable holidays filled with love, food and presents.
In her earlier years, she enjoyed bowling, skating at Roller Haven, bocci by the beach, days at the cabanas, and attending Broadway shows with her friends. Vinny and Flo enjoyed dressing up to attend Saturday night dinner dances with lifelong friends. Over the years, Florine cherished spoiling her family with eating out, shopping, and taking “rides” to the casino.
Florine was survived by her son Michael DePaola; daughters, Therese DePaola Riordan (William) and Maria DePaola. She was the loving Nonni to Jessica (DePaola) Cohane (James), Vanessa, and Erica Riordan and Great-Nonni to Kyla and James Cohane. She was also survived by her loving nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Vincent DePaola, sons Vincent and David DePaola, and sister Lorraine Melillo Tercyak.
The visiting hours will be on Thursday, March 21 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or SmileTrain.org
Oh Auntie Flo. You’ll will forever be loved and remembered. Wasn’t I the lucky one to call you Aunt.
Love, Sandra
Thinking of all of you. 🙏🏻❤️
Beautiful, elegant, and timeless, strong and resilient, loving and patient, and always took her coffee with cream and sugar. This is how I will fondly remember my Auntie Flo.
Hey, auntie Flo your such wonderful person I have so many great memories with you and our families together and thanks for being a awesome sister to Nonni Lorraine I love you
Sending prayers and thoughts to all of you.
There’s so much that can be said about Auntie Flo. She was such a wholesome, and grounded human being. Auntie Flo always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. whenever she saw you, she would always say “hello sweetheart” and would then check in on everything you had told her in the past that you had going on. she never forgot a thing and always was so proud of you. she knew inherently how to make everyone feel loved, valued, and unique. She truly was the quintessential matriarch of her family. Auntie Flo will remain immortalized in my memories as one of the most authentic, selfless, generous people I’ve had a pleasure of knowing. I’ll forever be grateful to have shared so much of my life with her, and to have the honor to call her an aunt. She will be missed dearly by so many; nothing will ever outshine the light that is Auntie Flo. We all love and miss you immensely.
A life time of love and memories. The best Aunt you could ask for. You had the greatest laugh and always had a story to tell. May you rest and be at peace in heaven and reunite with your family. Love you.
I am so sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to all of you. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!! Keep the happy, funny moments close at heart, that does help.. 🙏🙏
Suzanne and I are sadden by the loss of Aunt Florine. To Michael, Therese, Maria, and family, we pray that the love of those around you will help thru this difficult time. Aunt Florine was such a great aunt to myself and my brothers and sisters! After all who would invite 6 little, loud, and obnoxious TERCYAKS over to their house all at once!! I have many great memories of your love and generosity. Vinny and Florine were truly our favorite aunt and uncle.