Florence Lorraine Baldassarre

Florence Baldassarre (nee Tagliere) passed away surrounded by family on January 14, 2026, at the remarkable age of 101.

Florence was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 29, 1924, the daughter of Daniel and Lucille Tagliere. She grew up in Chicago with her sister, Joan Cobin, and brother Daniel A. Tagliere (deceased), and graduated from Steinmetz High School.

As a child, she had an innate gift for dance and acrobatics. She turned that talent into a career on stage, taking the name Lee Ayre and accompanying many famous celebrities. She also joined the USO and traveled the world as a dancer to entertain our troops.

She married Herman Baldassarre in 1951 and raised their family in Mount Prospect, Illinois. As a young mother, she taught dance at various studios and at the local park district, where she discovered another passion: painting.

She was a prolific artist who worked in various media and sold her work at art shows. For her 100th birthday, she held a show to sell all her remaining artwork and donate the proceeds to St. Jude's Hospital.

Florence was truly an extraordinary woman. She will be remembered by her family and friends as an energetic, generous, and beautiful woman.

Florence is survived by her children, Paul (Barb) Baldassarre, David (Janice) Baldassarre, Beth (Michael) Spicker, and Gary Baldassarre; as well as her grandchildren, Megan, Jennifer, David, Matthew, and Brooke Baldassarre. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services will be on Sunday, February 8, at 11:00 am. Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 4244 Madison St, New Port Richey, FL 34652.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital in her honor.