Sarafina Mary Fiorella

Sarafina M. Fiorella (nee Diesi) passed away peacefully at Brighton Gardens, Tampa, Fla., on December 20, 2013, at the age of 90. Sarafina's family originated in Pisa, Italy, and over time, the family moved from northern Italy to the Island of Sicily where the head of the family became known as the Barone di Diesi. Her father, Gaspare, was born in 1875 and upon the death of his father in 1889, left Italy and settled in the French colonial city of Tunis in Africa. Her father and mother, Jeanine LaFata, were married in 1906 and in 1911, they departed Tunis for the United States. Sarafina's parents had six daughters and one son, Frank, who lost his life in WWII. Sarafina was their youngest daughter and last surviving member of the family. The family had moved to Kansas City, Mo., shortly after WWI where she was born on May 14, 1923. An accomplished artist, Sarafina studied commercial art at the Jane Hayes Gates Institute. Sarafina married John J. Fiorella of Kansas City on a beautiful fall day, Sept. 11, 1940, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. John was the youngest son of an established Kansas City family and sadly passed away in 1982 in their 42nd year of marriage. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Dr. John A. Fiorella, Tampa, Carmen A. Fritz (Steve), Columbia, Md., and Frank J. Fiorella, Tampa, who predeceased his mother in 1997. Sarafina is grandmother to John Eric, Stephanie and Melissa, and great-grandmother to Noah, Beatrix, Josephine and Jack. Sarafina and her husband, John attended the Weaver School of Business, Kansas City, each earning their Real Estate Brokers License, eventually establishing the Security Realty Company as well as the Holiday Improvement Company. Eventually, Sarafina became one of the Greater Kansas City area spokespersons for the Catherine Deneuve line of cosmetics and fragrances. She also enjoyed her time as a professional demonstrator of household products for Montgomery Ward. Prior to her husband's death in 1982, Sarafina became involved in watercolor painting, studying under Asterio Pascolini, a well known artist, and also became involved with dancing, specifically tap dancing, becoming a proud member of the Overland Park Rockettes. In 1988, Sarafina decided to move to Tampa and lived happily with her son, John for the last 25 years. In Florida, Sarafina became a participant and member of the New Tampans, the Town and Country Senior Stars and Happy Hoofers. Sarafina was also an active volunteer for the Salvation Army. She served for many years as President of the Young at Hearts Club of Incarnation Catholic Church. She also was a devoted member and officer of the Cosmopolitan Club of Tampa, serving twice as its president ('95-'96 and '05-'06). A Mass of the Resurrection was held Friday, Dec. 27, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at McGilley State Line Chapel. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.