Vera G. (Silvestri) Florio

Vera G. Florio (Silvestri), 89, formerly of North Providence, died at St. Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich supported by her family on Thursday, June 29, 2023. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late John A. Florio. At the time of his passing, they had been married for 56 years. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Mariano and Bambinella (Santangini) Silvestri.

Upon completion of high school, Vera entered the Providence Public Library training program after which she worked at the main library and all of its eight branches. It was at one those branches where she met her husband. After leaving the public library, she became a library assistant for the Providence School Department. For fifteen years she was active in the Marieville School PTA in North Providence. She also participated in teacher aide work and was a room mother and chaperone on field trips for her children.

Vera loved reading the newspaper and looked forward to reading it cover to cover every day. She loved cooking and baking and enjoyed making her signature chicken cutlets, eggplant parmesan and a wide assortment of Christmas cookies and desserts, not to mention doughboys for her grandsons.

She enjoyed reading mysteries, crossword puzzles, watching the Golden Girls and watching old movies with her husband during their famous “coffee breaks” during their retirement. Most of all, Vera enjoyed spending time with her family just talking and laughing around the kitchen table.

Despite a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, she still remained cognizant of and conversant with her family until the end.  

She is survived by her loving children, her son and daughter-in-law, David and Lori Florio of New York and her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie, and Dr. Robert Varone of East Greenwich. She also leaves her loving and cherished grandsons, Elliot and Cooper Varone. She was the sister of Lola Buonanno of Warwick and the late Aida Silvestri and Edda Cleri.

Visitation will take place Saturday, July 8, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM in the Redwood Mausoleum Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence. Followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow.

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