Rochester: September 2, 2014. Predeceased by her parents, Fabrizio Angelo Filomena Villa; daughter, Ginny Bielefeldt; son-in-law, Dave Bielefeldt; siblings, Mary Malsegna, Ray Angelo, Esther Tomaselli, Alice Salamone, Sam Angelo Eleanor Russo. Survived by her husband, Carl E. Flexer, Jr; children, Lily Moran, Dennis (Gary Northrup) Syracuse, Carl (Ismael Martin-Del-Campo) Flexer; grandchildren, Mark Richardson, Harry (Bonnie) Moran Jr, Jessica (Nick) Loscar, Tara (Tom) Kirk, Brian (Jan) Bielefeldt; brother, Victor Angelo; sister, Antoinette Samsel; several nieces nephews. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 28 at 12 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between 390 Long Pond Rd). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St, PO Box 7, E Syracuse, NY 13057 in Florence's memory. Born on May 28, 1927, Florence was raised in Rochester, NY. As a child, she was a great student and did very well throughout school. An accomplished roller skater, she eventually was offered a professional roller derby position for a NYC team. The family was shocked - who would ever move away? So, she performed locally at weddings etc. and traded that opportunity for "family approval". To support the family finances, Florence left High School at 17 failing to finish her final year for her HS diploma. She was a bookkeeper and was very quick and accurate and progressed but always wanted to be a nurse. That goal would come much later in life clearly establishing her legacy of persistence and accomplishment. After many years of raising her family - she returned to school and got her GED at 56. She went on to get an LPN degree; returned to MCC and got her AA degree and finally attended the Rochester General Hospital Nursing School and received her RN. She worked many years there fulfilling her high school dream - no matter what the obstacles - she would challenge them to reach her goal. She became a NURSE! Her first marriage was to John Syracuse in 1947, a "ROGUE" saxophonist - very sexy and they were in love. Two children later Dennis and Ginny, they ran into the rocks and separated. Florence moved back into her parent's home and went to work to support her children. The family supported her by helping to raise the children and she cleaned the house on weekends. And Oh man could she clean. She dated and her sisters watched over her and her family - think "Sisters" from Rosemary Clooney. And of course, she would have all serious contenders to the Sunday family dinner and her mother and the sisters sat in judgment. Finally - she found her soul mate - tall, dark and handsome - a Pennsylvania Dutch engineer - not an Italian - the family was paralyzed - so handsome, an engineer but "what is Pennsylvania Dutch"? Where is Pennsylvania???? Carl Flexer and Florence married in 1961 and were the apex of being in love, ALWAYS content to sit and hold hands throughout their over 50 years together. Carl was formerly married and brought twin daughters, Sarah and Lily into the family and they had their own child Carl the third, in 1962. The happiest times of her life was when she married Carl and when they moved into the house which she adored and when she received her cap and RN pin. Florence was immaculate and her home was her domain. Her furniture was so "Pledged" that when her sisters came to visit - if they moved too quickly off her kitchen chairs, they slipped off and fell to the floor -that is called karma and "Sisters" were cautious every day forward. Florence was an avid reader and loved learning. She was a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder and loved her team apparel that consisted of hats, gloves, jackets, scarves and her ubiquitous sweatshirts. When anyone would say to her lets do it tomorrow - she would retort- lets do it NOW as tomorrow may never come. Not one to mince words-she was positive and very direct - move it or lose it! Her way or the highway, mister. No mistaking that direction. When she toured Italy with her family in 2006 - she was in a wheelchair - the tour guides referred to her as "Mama in the Ferrari" - even they knew not to mess with Florence. Florence was never a drinker, however, during a trip to Italy, she imbibed "Lemoncello" - thinking how bad could it be. Well, she did get tipsy and laughed heartily. Florence was a fighter determined to win - she beat breast cancer, stomach cancer, six disc surgeries and rheumatoid arthritis. In her mid-eighties, she needed heart valve replacement and her goal was to go to her granddaughter, Jessica's wedding in Chicago the coming year. She survived a grueling operation and recovery and flew to Chicago and saw her Jess get married in July 2013. Despite the tough exterior, she was compassionate and caring and would stop to help anyone in need - she was a good listener and always had advice. Her counselor, friend and someone she considered her family - Frank Aloi- describes her as "old school but in her own way, street smart. She never gave up - she fought life to a draw in most situations, but every now and then, she won a few rounds. She deserves a round of applause - she was one "helluva dame" meant in the most positive compliment possible. She will be missed".