Florence C. Gianangeli

May 4, 1922 - October 26, 2006

05/04/1922 - 10/26/2006

Past Services

Visitation
Sunday October 29, 2006
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Home-Bellaire
441-37th Street
Bellaire, OH 43906
740-676-1611 | Directions
Additional Information:

Vigil Service at 2:15 p.m.
Sons of Italy Service at 7 p.m.

Cemetery
Monday October 30, 2006
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Bellaire, OH 43906
740-676-2426 Be | Directions
Service
Monday October 30, 2006
9:30 am
St. John Catholic Church
415-37th Street
Bellaire, OH 43906
740-676-0051 | Directions
Visitation
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Home-Bellaire
441-37th Street
Bellaire, OH 43906
740-676-1611 | Directions
Additional Information:

Vigil Service at 2:15 p.m.
Sons of Italy Service at 7 p.m.

Florence C. Gianangeli, 84, of Bellaire, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 in the Belmont Community Hospital.

She was born May 4, 1922 in Wheeling, a daughter of the late Joseph and Sabina Fabrizio Policy.

Florence was a homemaker, a member of the Sons of Italy, Bellaire and St. John Catholic Church.

In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her husband Thomas on March 31, 2002, a daughter Virginia Marie Gianangeli, a brother Vincent Paolucci and a sister Bessie Policy.

Surviving are 4 children; Thomas Nancy Gianangeli of Richmond, OH, JohnDianeGianangeli of Bellaire, AnthonyDianeGianangeli of Springfield, VA, VincePattiGianangeli of Colerain, OH, 1 brother; Joe Policy of Wellsburg, 3 sisters; Mary Murray of Massillon, OH, Ann Peake of Shadyside, Irene Bickmeier of Bellaire, 6 grandchildren; Brian, Tommy, Eric, Summer, Gabriella and Zachary Gianangeli, and 4 great grandchildren; Caleb, Hannah, Cameron and Ghianna Gianangeli.

Friends will be received on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1-4 and 6-9pm at the Bauknecht Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory, 441-37th St., Bellaire.

Funeral liturgy with Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9:30am in St. John Catholic Church, with Msgr. Gene Mullett as celebrant.

Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Bellaire.

A vigil service will be held on Sunday at 2:15pm in the funeral home and then at 7:00pm the Sons of Italy will conduct services for Florence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellaire Sons of Italy Scholarship Fund or Valley Hospice, Wheeling.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at altmeyer.com

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Ray Massa
8 years ago

Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Florence personally, I do know many of her Children and Grandchildren. Through her Family, I can see the reflection of a Woman that was a Great Mother and a Wonderful Person.

Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all,

Ray and Sherry Massa

Rose Mary Zurek
8 years ago

Dear Tom,John,Anthony and Vince,

We read this morning of the passing of your Mother. We were saddened by this news, and our hearts go out to you and your family.

We send our prayers and deepest sympathy.

Sincerely yours,

Rose Mary Loria Zurek

Doris Loria Kennen

bob ney
8 years ago

dear vince and family,

sorry to learn of the passing of your mother florence. the eulogy that you wrote was so touching and such a tribute not only to her but to your entire family.

thoughts and prayers are with you and all your loved ones at this time of loss and at this time also of the celebration of a most remarkable woman and her life and dedication to all that she loved and touched during her lifetime.

god bless,

sincerely,

bob, liz, bobby and kayla ney

Kim Rogers Krahel
8 years ago

Dear Vince and Family,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Although I was really young when we lived by Your family Noble st. I remember your Mother as always being nice. Take Care

Kim Rogers Krahel

Susie & Nelson’s Daughter

Sister Mary Adolph
8 years ago

Dear Vince,Patti and family,

Your dear Mother was the most beautiful,loving and caring person I knew,to everybody she met.It was a joy to talk to her.She had the most beautiful smile.My deepest and loving sympathy goes to you and yourfamily,Be assured my prayers are with all of you.Now she is in the arms of Jesus and the Blessed Mother.May she rest in peace.

Your Second Grade Teacher,

Sister Mary Adolph

Vince Gianangeli
8 years ago

EULOGY OF FLORENCE GIANANGELI

Written by son, Vince

October 30, 2006

Good morning. My family and I would like to thank you for your prayers, support, acts of kindness, and out pouring of love you have shown our mother from the onset of her massive stroke she suffered on October 10th. until her death on October 26th. and throughout the events of this past weekend.

While alive, we had many occasions to celebrate Momís life on earth. Now departed, we have the opportunity to celebrate her new life, one with Christ in heaven, one with her friends and loved ones, the one she deserves, the one she earned while carrying out countless good deeds, and paying homage to Jesus, Our Lord. In celebrating this new life, we invite you to the Sons of Italy after graveside services to share food and refreshments, stories and comradeship before your journey home.

Mom was born on May 4, 1922 one of eight children 6 girls and 2 boys to Italian immigrants, Joe Paolucci, also known as Joe Policy, and Sabina Fabrizio Paolucci. As a youth, she resided at 709 McMechen Street, Benwood, WV. Her sister Virginia died at an early age, but she was able to spend many years with her siblings, Vincent Paolucci, Bessie Policy, Mary Murray, Ann Peake, Irene Bickmeier, and Joe Policy. Uncle Vince and Aunt Bess have since passed, but their memories remain with us forever.

Mom married Thomas Gianangeli on May 8, 1942, just four days after her 20th birthday. From June 8, 1944 through May 8, 1945, dad served in campaigns during WWII in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged on September 25, 1945. He was hired by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, and worked there for 35 years. Mom and dad didnít waste any time starting a family after his discharge, as their first son, Thomas Joseph was born on June 6, 1946; their second son, John Vincent was born on January 24, 1949; their third son Anthony Louis was born on August 1, 1953; and their fourth son Vincent Mark was born on October 20, 1960. Prior to my birth, mom had two miscarriages and one still born child, a girl they named Virginia Marie, who was laid to rest on November 11, 1957.

Mom wanted a daughter so badly and was quite devastated by her loss. She definitely loved all her family, both immediate and extended. There was a genuine, unique love for the ladies of the family. When it came to her daughters-in-law, granddaughters, great granddaughters, nieces or friends, the love she showed them was more of a compassionate, gentle, humble nature. Since she was not able to have a daughter of her own, she showered her love upon the woman and girls of the family, and the love she received in return from them consoled her.

Recalling the passing of our father on Easter Sunday in 2002, we sat with him for 57 hours. Never in our wildest dreams would we have thought that God would test our faith 4 _ years later, by challenging us to sit with mom for countless hours over a 16 day period, but he did, and here we are today, our faith ever so strong, not shaken. It is strong, not only because we believe, but mainly because our mother was a very influential and spiritual person in our lives who devoted herself to God and her family. God was always first in her life, then her family. We all know a very famous saint and nun by the name of Mother Teresa. In our eyes, and the eyes of many that knew her, mom was the married version of Mother Teresa. I can remember at a very early age asking mom what she would have done if she didnít marry dad, and she said she would have probably been a nun. This did not surprise me as it probably does not surprise many of you. When healthy, it was not out of the ordinary to seem mom in church 7 days a week. When visiting her home, on many occasions, she would have station EWTN tuned in, which preaches about Catholicism. If the TV was off, she would be saying the rosary or praying as she laid on the couch. When dad was alive, when visiting, if mom wasnít present when we walked in, he would tell us she was upstairs praying. Many times I would interrupt her just to say hello and let her know I was there. 10 or 15 minutes later she would come downstairs after she finished praying and would offer me something to eat.

Speaking of eating, cooking was an Italian tradition that mom excelled in. It didnít matter what time it was, mom was ready to put a pot on the oven. Now those of you that have had the privilege of eating our motherís excellent Italian cooking, know exactly what I am talking about. No person could ever expect to visit her home without having the refrigerator opened, and everything inside laid out in front of you. When relatives were coming in from Massillon, they always enjoyed stopping at Aunt Florenceís to get nourished before visiting elsewhere. At Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, there would be enough food to feed an army, and once someone experienced the Christmas Eve tradition, they would look forward to joining in that celebration year after year. It was customary to have both sides of the family represented at festive occasions. The Gianangelií s and Bickmeierís broke bread together on many holidays. Days leading up to Christmas Eve, people would ask if mom was going to have all those baked goods again, and wanted to know what pasta dish she was going to prepare. My brothers and I always said that mom should have had a restaurant, but she would disagree, because she said that she couldnít cook like they do in restaurants. She felt they cut corners, and in her kitchen you always had to have the best products, like Contadina oil, San Giorgio pasta, Contadina puree, tomatoes and paste. We never saw a jar of Ragu in her cupboard, and pastries or cakes were not from a box. Everything good was homemade. She would spend hours cranking the hand machine to make homemade noodles, and mix up a batch of dough for her pizzelle machine.

Within six months of dadís passing, we noticed a drastic change in momís memory retention. She was diagnosed with dementia. There were times we would visit, call her at the end of the day, and quiz her on daily events. She would not remember what she ate, who visited her, or what day it was. She always remained steadfast in her faith, but her cooking abilities left her, and she was not able to prepare the excellent dishes everyone thoroughly enjoyed. It was not really possible for us to copy her recipes because she always used a little of this and a pinch of that. She is the only woman I know that could cook without measuring cups or spoons. I am proud to report however, that if you ever want to taste momís meatballs, sauce or lasagna, all you have to do is call my niece Summer, as she pretty much can duplicate momís pasta dishes, as we witnessed last Tuesday, when she made lasagna for us at momís. When I got out of my vehicle and smelled the aroma outside, I knew I was at momís again. It really was remarkable.

Mom, wife, grandma, sister, Aunt Florence, Godmother, friend, servant of God, however she was referenced, was loved by many and known by nearly everyone. People would see her walking and pick her up in their vehicle and take her to her destination, which was either home, church, the grocery store or the Sons of Italy. She had a very simple life. The streets will appear barren now that she is gone, and we will miss the ìI picked your mom up todayî stories told by family, friends, or acquaintances.

Watching mom pass into the next world was not an easy task. There were three occasions I witnessed her praying the rosary as she laid in her hospital bed. We met Godís challenge, was there for her, and as difficult as it was to let her go, we know she is where she belongs, where she deserves to be. If our mom isnít in heaven, then it is going to be really difficult for us to make it there. I never thought this before, but I can honestly say there are things worse than death, and had mom survived her massive stroke, she would have had a very poor quality of life. Mom lived a life of dignity. We are grateful that she was able to die with dignity.

In closing, letís offer this prayer on behalf of mom. Dear God, bless and keep this beautiful, loving woman that so faithfully served you for nearly 84 _ years. Although we would love to have her amongst our midst today, we understand that you have a much brighter future prepared for her and a much better place to spend her eternity. Thank you for the life that you have given her here on earth, a life of love to share with her family, friends and all those who so dearly loved her. Mom has made such and impact on all our lives. This is why it is so hard to let go. Although there are times such as these when our faith is tested, it is that faith that keeps us believing that we will see mom again in heaven. Please watch over mom, our families, our friends and all people from all walks of life. We understand this life to be temporary. Keep us mindful, and encourage us, so that someday we will all be together again in that heavenly abode. In Jesusí name we say, Amen.

In this world, there is no love greater than that of a mother. Mom, we will remember you always. Continue to pray for us with your lips of an angel. Rest in peace. We love you very much.

Chuck Reese
8 years ago

John…

Our thoughts are with you and your whole family. God bless…

DALLAS GRAY
8 years ago

TO THE GIANANGELI FAMILY:

PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. BELLAIRE HAS UNDOUBTEDLY LOSS A VERY SPECIAL LADY.

SINCERELY,

DALLAS GRAY

Jim D'Innocenzo
8 years ago

Very sorry to hear about this. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Karen Golaski
8 years ago

Vince and family,

Please accept my deepest sympathy. It was an honor to care for your Mother. Her smile lit the room. May God Bless You & Your Family.

Karen

Mary Marinelli
8 years ago

VINCE AND PATTI

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

WHEN I MOVED FROM BELLAIRE I MISSED MY VIVITS WITH YOUR MOM.

SHE WAS A STRONG AND VERY SPECIAL LADY.

MARY MARINELLI

NORTH CANTON,OH

Elaine Skorich
8 years ago

Vince and Patti,

I am sorry for your loss. You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Corina
8 years ago

Vince and Patti,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless.

Love,

Corina, Sean, Jocelyn and Kayla

Greg & Karen Vince
8 years ago

Vince you & your family are in our thoughts & prayers. You have our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mom.

Cheryl Zeno
8 years ago

Vince,

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

LARRY FERRERA
8 years ago

WE SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF FLORENCE GIANANGELI. FLORENCE WAS A DEAR FAMILY FRIEND AND WE WILL MISS HER. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF SORROW.

WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY

LARRY & BECKY FERRERA