Florence Ida Dondero

Florence Ida Dondero, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on March 21, 2011 in Yakima, WA at the age of 90 after a long and courageous battle with dementia. She was born on February 12, 1921 in Oakland, CA as the youngest of three children to Marie and Caesar DiGiusto. She is preceded in death by her husband Fred, brother Albert and sister Viola. She is survived by her daughters Diane (Butch) Gaberman and Nanette (Dale) Proctor. She has five grandchildren: Maria, Michael, Michelle, Ashley and Zachary. She also has eight great-grandchildren. Florence and her husband Fred opened Dondero Florist at Northgate Mall in 1960. In 1978, they retired and her daughter Nanette and son-in-law Dale bought the business. Florence enjoyed working with flowers and continued to help out at the shop for many years after her retirement. She also enjoyed gardening and walking around Green Lake in North Seattle where she had a home and lived for more than 50 years. Florence was a fantastic cook and loved making many Italian dishes for her family and friends including homemade ravioli, gnocchi and her famous biscotti. She will be greatly missed by her family and loved ones. A viewing will be held on Friday, March 25th at Evergreen-Washelli at 11111 Aurora Ave. North in Seattle from 11:00am to 8:00pm. A private family burial will be held at Holyrood Cemetery.