Alfonsa ‘Florence’ T. (Giaimo) Saviano, age 99, of Winchester, MA January 27, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Andrew B. Saviano, Sr. Loving mother of Andrew B. Saviano, Jr. and his wife Lynda H. of Halifax, MA and Maria T. Saviano and her wife Patricia McGarry of Reading, MA. Loving grandmother of Megan H. Saviano and Andrew M. Saviano. Dear sister of Joanne Abdella of Stoneham, Marie Lacey and her husband Jack of Winchester, Elena Zero of Stoneham, Lillian Gagliardi of Lynnfield, the late John, Frank and Ignazio Giaimo, Frances Pecorella and Vini Levin. Dear sister-in-law of Madeline Giaimo of Medford, Art Levin of Medford, the late Joseph Abdella, John Zero, Phil Gagliardi and Helen Giaimo. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and many great nieces and great nephews. Loving Godmother to Salvatore (John) Giaimo and the late Lorraine Bacos.
Florence was born in 1922 in the North End of Boston, MA, the daughter of Leonarda (Santangelo) and Salvatore Giaimo who had both immigrated to the US from Sicily, Italy. She was one of ten siblings, and the third oldest. Growing up, Florence practiced the Catholic faith, and belonged to St. Leonard’s Church in Boston. From this time, Florence recounted many fond memories of her family’s years living in an apartment building on Clark Street, and later in a duplex in Medford, MA, a modest life in the Depression era, so nothing wasted, but a life filled with love - you never knew when a musical instrument would appear, song would break out, more laughter than not, often sitting around the table for a meal. She often expressed love for, and devotion to her parents and siblings. Eventually, she and her family moved to Medford, where she found joy in spending time with her expanding family, especially her nieces, nephews and cousins.
In the 50’s, fun meant going to the ballroom, and on one such event, Florence met Andrew Saviano, also from Boston, who would eventually become her husband of 60 years. Florence and Andy married, and moved to Melrose, MA, where their first child, Andrew, was born. Later, they moved to Winchester, MA, where they had their second child, Maria, raised their family, and where she would remain for the rest of her life.
Florence loved listening to opera, enjoyed reading, appreciated nature, folk and Asian art, and spent many day trips with her family in Rockport. She also had a green thumb. Her African violets were her favorites, trying to find the best place in the house to keep them in bloom, they were everywhere. She could not bear to see a plant die. If, on a trip to the local nursery, she happened to find clippings on the ground, she would scoop them up, take them home, and bring them to life. She suspected the nursery caught on and made sure the floors were clean after that! Above all, Florence’s most favorite activity was sewing. She had a great eye for fashion, and she enjoyed making her own clothes. In her youth, she honed her expertise as a seamstress, employed by a number of garment companies, Steven’s and Priscilla’s early on, and later as a newlywed, at Harbert’s Garments. Offered to relocate her seamstress job to Florida, she and Andy decided to stay in MA, where Florence turned her profession into her favorite hobby. She spent hours sewing her children’s clothes, her daughter’s prom dresses, quilts, and eventually, she became entrepreneurial, and sold handmade satin jewelry pouches and toiletry bags to craft stores on consignment, but she found equal joy in giving them as gifts.
Florence was a devoted wife and loved having her family around her for a Sunday dinner. She enjoyed cooking and was an amazing cook at that. Her two grandchildren, Megan and Drew, brought her happiness every time they would visit, watching them grow up and sharing her childhood stories with them. She also had a special place for grand-pup Duke. He loved her couch…” Maybe he could lie down on the floor” Florence would say.
We will remember Florence’s devotion to family, strong will, sharp mind - an amazingly long life.
Florence’s family would like to recognize the professional caregivers of Comfort Keepers for their amazing care, and loving approach in her final years. Florence’s family is forever grateful.
Funeral Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Florence’s memory may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and mailed to Memorials Processing, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015-9959. https://www.stjude.org.