Flora was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, March 24, 1928, to Corradino and Ida Lanoce. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School where she was educated by the loving Sister Corona and Father L. Balcastro who she spoke of fondly quite often.
While still a teenager Flora discovered she had relatives in California and convinced her father to accompany her to visit their American family. It was on one of several trips to California that Flora met the love of her life, the late Louis Albert Massicci, Sr. After a brief long-distance relationship, the two married on June 1, 1949, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Catholic parish in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Flora and Louie built their first home on Michigan Avenue in Fresno, CA in 1950 where they raised their two sons, John and Louie (Lou, Jr). Flora was a homemaker who did it all. Not only an amazing cook, baker, and homemaker, but also did the yardwork; canned tomatoes, olives, and other family favorites; and even made wine with her husband.
Flora is survived by her son Lou (Becky), their two sons Michael (Renee) and Ryan (Hannah). Janet Massicci, wife of John Massicci and their two children John Paul and his wife Maria (Eliana, Diego, and David), Michelle Perez (Leo, Lucas, Lily); her eldest granddaughter Gina Blodgett (Brian) and their two sons Brandon and Braden.
Flora is preceded in death by her beloved husband Louis Sr., her parents Corradino and Ida, brother John (Clipper) Lanoce (wife Erma and daughter Lori Anne) and her son John David.
A Visitation will be held Thursday, August 20, at 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 21, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 10:00am, followed by her being laid to rest at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Flora’s memory to Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno.
