Florence Schillaci

Born May 16, 1918, in Houston, Texas to a newspaper man and the beauty contest winner he interviewed. Florence was one of four children; brother, Henry Clay Waters; sisters, Elizabeth Carlisle and Marienne Womack, all of Houston and deceased. She graduated from Milby High School in Houston.

In the 1940’s she worked for her uncle George Waters who was city manager of Houston. In 1947 she was elected president of TriDelta. She was also a member of the Junior League of Houston. She met a young man on the interurban railway during her daily commute. She dated him casually but it was only after WWII when they reencountered that she found his war veteran gravitas irresistible. She married Anthony Schillaci in 1947. Their union produced four offspring: Mary Beth married to Bob Cham, recently of Nellysford, Virginia; Jerry and wife Celinda of Clear Lake, Texas; Michael of San Francisco, California; and Jeanne of Austin, Texas. The family moved to Baytown in 1956. Here she attended Trinity Episcopal Church where she volunteered for years in the Women’s Guild. Florence delighted in two granddaughters, Valeria and Natalia, daughters of Jerry and Celinda. Florence took loving care of Tony during his long decline from Parkinson’s ending with his death in 1998, a year after they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Through Florence’s long life with her share of challenges, she displayed high spirits, which seemed only to heighten as she aged. She was a compelling storyteller and cared for others, traits which endeared her to all—family, friends, and caregivers. In her earlier years she enjoyed cutting the rug with Tony and was a sought after bridge player into her 90’s. She read voraciously and frequented performing arts venues and art museums.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Saint James House, her residence for the last 20 years, on Sunday, March 8, at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.