At 4 years old, she moved to the Bronx which was then a part of Westchester County into a house that her father built and lived and died in that house on May 2, 2017 at 99 years old.
She was preceded in death by her mother Michelina Pacileo and her father Vincent Fostini, her husband, Salvatore Criscuolo and her son Vincent P. Criscuolo. She is survived by two daughters, Helen Coyle and June Carol Kittel, seven grandchildren: Mark Criscuolo, Matthew Criscuolo, Paul Kittel, Barbara Kittel, Daniel Coyle, Shane Coyle, and Deanna Coyle; eighteen great grandchildren: Stephen Coyle, Tessa Coyle, Dylan Coyle, Rachel Brushwood, Aleah Brushwood, Seth Coyle, Devin Riordan, Salvatore Coyle, Waylon Coyle, Paige Beale, Lacey Beale, Katie Beale, Luis Kittel, Carina Lopez, Andrew Kittel and Nicole Kittel; Nicholas Criscuolo and Sarah Criscuolo; and one Great, great grandson Logan Selvaggio.
Florence lived her life engaged in many activities up to the time of her death. She volunteered as an ambulance driver for cancer patients of all ages to and from doctor visits. She dedicated herself to this when she was healed of a back injury that her doctor told her she would never recover from. She then became a cashier at the Alexander clothing store on Fordham Road in the Bronx; founder of the PTA at P.S.108 and the originator of the PTA newsletter “PTA Thoughts.” She was active in her church working in the Ladies Guild, embroidered pulpit covers, sang in the church choir, and was a leader in the church’s Youth Group. Florence worked as a legal secretary for various attorneys and later politicians. She became a leader for Brownie and Girl Scout troops, active on the Community Planning Board in the Bronx. She later became involved with working on the Board of Elections as a Coordinator for the Polls for many years. After retiring from the New York City School system, she went on to volunteer working on the Board of Directors for Montefiore Hospital for many years, worked as well at the Bronx Community Health Network on the Governance Committee. She also served on the New York City Presbytery Mission Review Board as liaison to several Bronx churches. Florence also served at the Comprehensive Care Center on the Review Committee. In her spare time, she worked at getting donations of money, mittens and scarves for the students at the United Cerebral Palsy School ( UCP) as well as sponsored ice cream parties for their graduations. She also volunteered at St. Peter’s Soup kitchen setting up a committee to serve once a month. Florence was a member of the Senior Club at St. Benedicts and was recently elected to their Board. She was a member of her local AARP Chapter and served as a speaker on topics of interest and importance to Senior Citizens as well as being an active member of the Italian Club.
Florence touched many lives through her 99 years in the many professions, organizations and clubs she was a part of. She encouraged others to never give up and was a witness of the Lord’s love in her life, quoting scripture chapter and verse. She was a vital and strong woman in her beliefs and convictions and was not afraid to stand and voice for what she believed in. She kept going strong up until the last month of her life. She will be greatly missed by the many lives that she touched.
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