Born in Tampa on December 2 to Rose and Gaetano Ferrante, she graduated from Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa and Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. As a student she lived in Madrid, and travel remained one of her great joys throughout life, especially if it combined visits to her son Rick, her dear friends in Spain and Mexico, and the ability to practice her Spanish.
She lived for many years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her son Charles. She was a wonderful cook and a devoted, selfless caregiver to him. Family and friends will remember her joyful laugh, her deep love of family, and her generous portions of garlic in all that she cooked.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Albano, and her son, Hunter Waters. She is survived by her sister Angela Guagliardo, her son Rick Waters and daughter-in-law Sarah Beran; her son Charles Waters; her stepson Paul Albano, and many other loving family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, from noon until 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of her lifelong dedication to special needs caregiving, donations may be made to St. Coletta’s of Jefferson, WI, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing special needs programs and education, at the following link https://www.stcolettawi.org/donate.
