Florence Zerilli

Florence Zerilli was called home by her Father in Heaven, on May 3, 2024. Florence was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 6, 1925 to Josephine and Antonino Sclafani. She was the second of 12 children, Sam, James, Steve, Mamie, Michael, Joseph, Frank, Nick, Anthony, Fred, and Pete. As a child, Florence became her mother's main helper with her siblings and was often an English-speaking interpreter for her Italian-speaking parents. While she loved geography in school, she had to stop her studies in eighth grade to help care for her mother and new brother, Nick.

As a 20-year-old, Florence moved with her family to Fontana, California in 1945 as her father began employment at Kaiser Steel. However, Florence would return to Michigan in less than two years as she married Dominic James Zerilli on April 26, 1947 in Wyandotte, Michigan. The couple welcomed a daughter, Josephine Marie Zerilli-Hicks (Bruce) on July 30,1949. After the passing of Dominic's father, Salvatore, in 1955, the family returned to California.

On September 1, 1957, they welcomed their second daughter, Paula Neila Matheny (Steven). Florence started working at Finley's Rexall in 1958, a place she would call her working home for the next 15 years. Florence found joy in helping Finley's customers with everything from opening a bank account to understanding their prescription. While Florence found fulfillment in her work, she also found a community in the Italian-American Club, where her amazing cooking skills were on display and she and her family spent much of their time.

In 1973, Florence moved to Yuma, Arizona as Dominic took a career opportunity as a Safeway store manager. Florence found a new role as a meat wrapper in a different Safeway store, while building a new community of friends. She established a tradition of feeding every Safeway worker with homemade lasagna as part of their Christmas holiday.

Life found new enjoyment in 1980 as Paula and Steve welcomed Florence's first grandchild, a daughter, Neila Maria Colvin (John). In 1983, a grandson, Nicholas Dominic Matheny (Lauren) completed the family.

In 1987, Florence and Dominic both retired from Safeway, and moved back to California. They built a new home in the growing town of Perris.

Florence was happily married to Dominic for 42 years, until his passing in 1989.

In her retirement, Florence spent much of her time in the Catholic Church, cooking up Italian dishes, being involved with the Fontana chapter of Sons of Italy, seeing new sights aboard cruise ships, and caring for loved ones. Florence cared for her mother Josephine for a decade, before her passing in 1995. She was known as "On the Go Flo," visiting family and friends and taking every day trip with the Club, always dressed to the nines.

Florence also loved to be with her sister Mamie, known as Babe. Playing cards, cooking for everyone, or just enjoying family, Florence and Babe were always together and the best of friends.

In her later years, Florence found a new pride in being "Big Nana" to four great grandchildren, Jacob, 12, Grant, 9, Owen, 6, and Sienna 3. Nothing brought her more happiness than being surrounded by the amazing family she created.

Celebration of Florence's life will be held as follows:

Viewing and Rosary at lngold Funeral & Cremation: May 20, 2024 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM 

Mass at St. George Catholic Church, Fontana: May 21, 2024 at 11:30 AM

Burial at Green Acres Memorial Park, Bloomington: May 21, 2024 at 1:00PM