Clara Centrone

Nicoletta (Clara) Centrone, age 95, of St. Johns, Florida, the beloved wife of the late Sylvester Centrone, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, while a resident at Westminster Woods, Julington Creek, Florida. Born in New York City on January 21, 1929, she was the only daughter of the late Oronzo and Benedetta Savino. Clara had 4 brothers who predeceased her including Vito, Joseph, Sabino and Sammy. Clara was married to Sylvester (Sal) Centrone on April 11, 1948. Clara and Sal were married for 27 years until Sal’s passing in 1975. They not only raised four children including Antoinette, Benedette, Joseph and Colette, they also raised the children of Clara’s late brother Joseph - Oronzo, Vincent, Benedette, Joseph and Donna Savino.

Clara leaves an extraordinary legacy of demonstrating kindness, generosity and service to friends and family. As co-owner with her husband of a very successful luncheonette, she went on to a remarkable career with the Automobile Association of America as a world-wide travel consultant. In this capacity, she was able to travel the world and shared her stories of adventure with her family. After her retirement, Clara relocated to fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada where she embarked on a life of service. She was the President of the Las Vegas branch of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation, the Red Hat Society, Catholic Daughters of America, AARP and was a volunteer senior friend reading to senior citizens during hospital stays. She enjoyed dancing, theater, music and traveling and was an avid painter. While she was a mother, sister, aunt, godmother and devoted wife, she cherished her role as a grandmother to 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many great-nieces and nephews. She never missed an opportunity to share with everyone how proud she was of all of them. Survivors include her children, Benedette and Jeffrey Cooper of Lewes, Delaware, Joseph and Carol Centrone of Douglaston, New York and Colette and Manuel Marguy of Jacksonville, Florida. Her daughter Antoinette Pizzitola predeceased Clara in 2020 while residing in St Augustine, Florida and Clara is survived by her son-in-law, Vincenzo Pizzitola.

A visitation for Clara will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home 192-15 Northern Blvd Flushing, NY 11358. Mass of christian burial, 9:45 AM, Friday, April 12, 2024 at Mary's Nativity - St Ann's church 46-02 Parsons Blvd Flushing, NY 11355. Followed by a committal service at Mount St. Mary's Cemetery 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Clara Centrone to Westminster Communities Foundation, 25 State Rd 13, Jacksonville, FL 32259. {https://westminstercommunitiesfl.org}